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Original poster

5 month old bantams not laying

14 replies

Orangewall · 26/10/2023 10:02

I’ve started becoming a bit worried about my two bantams not laying or even nesting yet, they have a spacious hen house but show no inclination to actually get into it apart from when I put them to bed at night - if left to their own devices they’d stay roosting on the roof! They appear mature in that their combs have reddened and grown since I’ve had them, but they don’t appear to be at all ready to lay!

I realise now I’m not going to have any eggs from them this year - my motivation for having them wasn’t egg based anyway - but I’m concerned that it has something to do with them not wanting to be in the hen house? They have perches in there, it’s warm and straw filled. They are lovely, well handled girls.

Any advice please?

OP posts:

seulement · 26/10/2023 10:15

the light levels are decreasing at this time of year, and that's what stimulates them to lay - I wouldn't worry unless they don't come into lay around Valentine's Day next February. I'm sure they are fine in their hutch, if anything it might be a bit too spacious for just the two of them, as a smaller space would be warmer (they huddle together naturally) so use plenty of bedding and maybe block off the nest boxes for now.

littleripper · 26/10/2023 10:17

They'll lay early next spring - Feb time, they are too young yet, and there is not enough light.

headcheffer · 26/10/2023 11:02

Agree with PP that it's the wrong time of year to expect such young hens to start laying. Wait until spring. Bantams are also notorious for doing things their own way

Original poster

Orangewall · 26/10/2023 11:31

Thanks for your comments all! That’s good to know re the size of the hutch so I’ll block off a bit as suggested. Is it common for bantams to prefer being outside all of the time? We’ve had previous mixed breeds and they seemed to be happy in or out and would definitely put themselves to bed every night!

OP posts:

seulement · 26/10/2023 14:51

As @headcheffer says, banties do things the way they want to - they have not read any of the books!

I had some that used to roost in the trees above the hen house, and only very reluctantly deigned to use it when it was raining hard or snowing...depending on where you are it's probably as well to put yours in at night, in case they end up as dinner...

Original poster

Orangewall · 26/10/2023 15:21

@seulement the girls are in a secure coop with a base so I’m not worried about them being eaten, I am a bit worried about winter though and a potential cold snap and the silly feather bums to freeze to death because they don’t want to go in! I’ve had the house on the floor, I’ve recently raised it so there’s shelter underneath as well as inside and they are refusing to use it! It’s reassuring to know that they don’t follow typical chickeny behaviour though, we’re all pretty attached to them now, they are very tolerant of the kids!

OP posts:

seulement · 26/10/2023 17:31

the only problem I ever had with the cold and my bantams was their wattles freezing - mostly the cockerel as he had the most impressive wattle until he stayed out one night and froze the end of it! He was fine, just not quite as symmetrical and handsome and previously !

hassaansiddiqui · 25/11/2023 22:09

sometime they take time to mature, so don't worry. they will start laying eggs soon.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 25/11/2023 22:11

You haven't got red mite have you? That can deter them from going in to roost.

Original poster

Orangewall · 26/11/2023 05:56

I’ve checked thoroughly for red mite (previous experience as a kid!) and luckily nothing. Still no eggs from original post!

OP posts:

Autumn1990 · 26/11/2023 06:10

I wouldn’t worry about the size of the hen house. I have lots of hens free range with more than enough housing options for them all. Some squish up together in a small space and others like to spread out in one of the larger houses.

I’ve got a few 6 month old banties and the cockerel has started crowing so as soon as day length increases they will start laying

some laying hens lay through winter others stop unless they have artificial light.

Original poster

Orangewall · 27/11/2023 08:33

Just an update…we had an egg this morning!!! Can’t believe it! Whoever said bantams work to their own schedule was definitely right

OP posts:

seulement · 27/11/2023 12:45

ha ha that's funny, coldest week in ages and they start laying...forget any idea you might have had that you were in charge of the banties, def the other way round 😆

Original poster

Orangewall · 27/11/2023 18:58

Isn’t it just, I had such a surprise this morning! I wonder how many more I’ll get now, I know they aren’t the most prolific layers.

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