• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Chicken Advice Needed!

November 1, 2012 @ 22:13 By Gavin Webber 10 Comments

Yesterday I received an email from a friend who needed some advice about backyard chickens.  Here is his email (with permission).

Hi Gavin.
Need some advice / help if I could. 

Our Chickens are still off the lay. Got the food you recommended (high protein) , shell grit, plenty of water / sun / space etc, still no laying, and it’s driving me nuts! They’re only a year and a half odd old too. 

They’re Isa Browns.  Happy for any advice from anyone at this point! Feel free to post question on the blog.

Thanks,
Simon.

Can anyone offer Simon some advice? I am fresh out of ideas, and have never come across this problem before.

Gav

-37.6777778144.5686375

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Chickens

← A Quick Break From My Book Peoples Renewable Energy Target Poll – Update →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Travelling Greek says

    November 1, 2012 at 22:42

    Perhaps chicken mites? If the mites are bad enough, it will significantly reduce production.

    Reply
  2. TechChik says

    November 1, 2012 at 22:42

    Hi Gavin and Simon,
    How old are the chickens? Are they about to moult? How many hours of sunlight are they getting a day? Are there any other stressors that might be affecting them? (mites, dustbath availability, water, new members of the flock, dog/cats next door…?) Are there any strange behavours that you’ve noticed?

    Reply
  3. Michael says

    November 2, 2012 at 01:29

    From the look of their combs the one standing might be laying but it’s hard to tell. If one of them is laying then one or both might be eating the eggs. Alternatively, you may have rats, snakes or lizards stealing the eggs.

    You should also look around the garden, if they’re free ranging, as they may have found a secluded spot they like better than the nest you have provided. I once found a hidden spot in the blackberries that had a huge number of eggs which solved the mystery of the suddenly low egg production at our place a while ago.

    Reply
  4. sailorssmallfarm says

    November 2, 2012 at 02:13

    My first reaction on reading the email was – they must be about to moult. They’re the right age. But Michael has a good point – if they’re free ranging, they might well be laying in a nice hidden spot (their favourite). Also rats and snakes are infamous for egg stealing without leaving any signs. I don’t have any experience with snakes (thankfully), but it’s definitely so with rats. I’m inclined not to say mites or lice from the picture as they look pretty good, and chickens with mite issues oftene pick feathers around the vent, but it’s easy to check. Pick them up at night, turn them over to look at the vent area, and shine a strong flashlight on the vent – if things scurry away, you know what the issue is. You do it at night because the mites/lice hide from the light during the day.

    Reply
  5. Alicia says

    November 2, 2012 at 06:20

    A friend of mine has crows stealing her eggs at the moment, listen for egg laying noises?

    Reply
  6. Nallerang Creek Farm says

    November 2, 2012 at 06:29

    Ditto to everyone else… If in the northern hemisphere it could be that they are going into a moult; if here in Australia it’s not likely.

    Mites and lice will affect the health of a chook if they get a hold so that definitely has to be checked (and yes, I also do this at night). Snakes, rats, lizards, goannas – all eat eggs, but so do chooks. Are there ANY eggs being laid at all and, if so, are they sticky, any broken bits of shell? That would indicate to me a chook or chooks is eating the eggs. I find it almost impossible with the number of chooks I have to determine the culprit so very regular egg collection is the key – several times a day.

    And ditto on the free ranging —> secret nest idea. I blogged the other day about finding THREE hidden nests behind some machinery. If he finds that is the case, they will need to be locked up in their pen for a few days until they’re used to laying in the nests he has provided for them.

    This is coming into prime laying time so I’d be thinking lice/mite and/or secret stash of eggs.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous says

    November 2, 2012 at 06:41

    I agree that perhaps they’ve started laying in a secret spot somewhere – this has happened to me too. I haven’t had any problems with eggs being stolen, but that is completely possible also. I’m just going to put it out there that some of our ISA browns / Hyline browns stopped laying about 2 years in and that was that – no more. We gave them about another year to “show us the money” but in the end a flock refresh was the only thing for us. They are really wonderful chooks and we replaced our ageing flock with more of the same but the short productive lifespan is a downside.

    Reply
  8. Michelle J says

    November 2, 2012 at 08:34

    It is still early Spring there? My gals take a little while to fire back up after the sun returns.

    As others have said, they could be broody and laying a secret clutch somewhere. Have they laid any eggs at all yet this season?

    Reply
  9. Darren (Green Change) says

    November 2, 2012 at 10:15

    I agree with the others above.

    If none of that pans out, and they’re really not laying, I’d suggest chicken soup followed by a flock refresh. I highly recommend getting something more traditional – Australorps are very good, but there are many other egg-laying breeds to choose from as well.

    ISA Browns are about the bottom of my list for backyard flocks :-).

    Reply
  10. Gavin Webber says

    November 2, 2012 at 21:33

    Thanks everyone for the big list of suggestions. I am sure that Simon has something to work with now. I will pass them all on to him.

    Cheers Gav

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Strawbridge Family Inspiration
The Seven Stages Of Change
Broad Bean Rust
Quince Paste
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Black Aphids On Garlic
Clay Oven First Layer
Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023