[Rory4]

ive got 8 hens & 1 cockeral. ive been gettin 6-7 eggs a day last 2 months, but last four days been getting 4,2,2,3. there are free range, i have looked in pig pens to see if laying in there but not. could there be a reason there just not laying?
also all lay in same nest box is this normal?
another question, ive got 4 two week old chicks in run on grass with hen 2 weeks old. how much food shall i be giving them?
will the hen be ok on just chick crumbs or have i got give her corn aswell?
is ok if chicks can get to corn aswell as hen?
last question, at what age will i no what sex they are? cockeral is barnervelder and the mums can be either black rock, orpington, speckledy, rhode island red or barnervelder if that helps.

hope someone can help with each question.

cheers

[salclalin]

Rory4, on Jul 13 2009, 08:56 PM, said:

ive got 8 hens & 1 cockeral. ive been gettin 6-7 eggs a day last 2 months, but last four days been getting 4,2,2,3. there are free range, i have looked in pig pens to see if laying in there but not. could there be a reason there just not laying?
also all lay in same nest box is this normal?
another question, ive got 4 two week old chicks in run on grass with hen 2 weeks old. how much food shall i be giving them?
will the hen be ok on just chick crumbs or have i got give her corn aswell?
is ok if chicks can get to corn aswell as hen?
last question, at what age will i no what sex they are? cockeral is barnervelder and the mums can be either black rock, orpington, speckledy, rhode island red or barnervelder if that helps.

hope someone can help with each question.

cheers

It's quite normal for hens to go off lay this time of year.
Laying in the same nest box is also quite normal the hens take a fancy to a nest box and lay in it everyday.
At 4 wks old the chicks should be on Growers Pellets and Corn. The hen will be fine on that, but i take my Hens away from the Chicks when she starts laying again.
You should be able to Sex the chicks about 12wks old.
Hope this is some help to you.
Ps keep the Growers pellets in a Hopper so they can eat as and when they like.

[Rory4]

cheers mate. ya that helps, what age do i take chicks away from her about?

[salclalin]

If they are large Fowl i take them of the hen at about 8wks(unless she starts laying before). If they are Bantams i leave them until they are a bit older.