You sure they are not roosters? Lol!

Leave them penned up for one day. See if you get any eggs. Put a store egg out in the next box in the morning. Later see if it's still there. It could be you have something getting them, though I would have thought you'd have gotten a few eggs. It could also be that they are eating them. Definitely put down an egg though, and see if it's still there. If it's still there that night, then you can assume the problem isn't with something taking them.

 

Do you have a nesting box set up for them?

 

Another method is to put artificial plastic or ceramic eggs in place of store eggs in nesting areas. Might also need a rooster to get them started. If you use a plastic egg, paint it eggshell white. Also, have you seen any signs of a chicken snake around? They swallow the eggs but usually the hens will squawk and make a lot of noise if one comes around. That is why the fake eggs. My grandfather would put out small light bulbs that would work, and when a chicken snake would swallow them it would kill them.

 

Sounds like they need nesting boxes. I found my chickens prefer raised boxes. Up off the ground. As stated, you may have an "egg eater".

 

A rooster can be a morale booster , and the eggs will be fertilized but thats the good part.
Depending on the rooster they can be protective as well.
I'm happy that I have birds finally brooding ,hopefully I'll have chicks soon.

 

When it is the hottest part of the summer my hens will not lay as many eggs. I keep them happy with fresh garden vegies I grew just for them and fresh hay in their yard once a week to scratch through. I also have shady areas for them to hunker down in the heat.

 

i've read that if they get any fruit, they will not lay for a month.

 

Mine get lots of fruit, and that doesn't stop them, not at all.

 

You could always eat them and get some new layers.

 

If their little hen combs are bright red they are ready to lay. If the combs are pink or light pink they're not ready yet. Also, they need plenty of clean fresh water and calcium, and nesting boxes in a place that's somewhat shaded. You don't want bright sun shining in on the place where you want them to lay.

If they have everything they need, and you're sure they're as old as you think, and they're not roosters... they may be laying is some place where you can't find the eggs.

I've had some that liked to bury their eggs under the bedding in a corner where I never would have found them unless I was cleaning. Their first eggs are usually rather small, so the hens can hide them under bedding.

 

If they're come into the laying age when it's hot, that will slow down the first egg. And they CAN and will hide them in the oddest of places. My one horse was not eating his hay out of the hay rack and I couldn't figure out why ... well there was a nest at the very top of it (shakes head). Mine have laid in the horse feed buckets, in between the walls of the barn (don't know how they would even fit in there to lay) and in a second story hay loft when I have still never seen a chicken up there or flying up or coming down from there. Make sure they have oyster shell available as well for the calcium. I agree with putting out an egg from the store and seeing if it stays there. They prefer to lay someplace "private" so even just a box or bucket on it's side is sufficient to start if you don't have regular nesting boxes. I know Americaunas take FOREVER to lay their first eggs. I have noticed that for the most part the first eggs are in the middle of the coop, almost like it was a surprise to the hen that it came out ... I've even found some smack in the middle of the field ... Roosters will have spurs by that age, so make sure there aren't significant spurs on their legs. Hens sometimes depending on the breed have small spurs or almost nubs rather than spurs. The comb color will change and the comb seems to "soften" for lack of a better descriptive term, it just looks softer to me ... if that makes any sense.

 

There are a few breeds that will not lay until they are 9 months old. What breed do you have?

 

Haha they are for sure hens and the broods are Rhode Island Red and buff orp

 

Are their combs bright pink or light pink? If they are laying (or about to lay)then the combs will be almost red.

 

Give them more protein for a while, something like cheap meat chopped (raw or cooked), leftover plain yoghurt, milk or cottage cheese. This might give them enough boost to start laying. You should not need to do this all the time, just long enough to get them started. Also, make sure they ALWAYS have clean, cool, fresh water, preferably placed in the shade. Good luck.

 

Check for dried egg on their beaks, they aren't bright, will peck anything, and sometimes discover that eggs have food inside. Someone might need to go to freezer camp.

 

*IF* your hens are laying, then they will have pelvic bones that are wide enough to pass an egg. The video shows how to check the space between the pelvic bones. I disagree with him saying the distance should be 3 fingers across: it might be because I have smaller hens but mine show a gap of 2 fingers. If a pullet is only 1.5 inches apart then she is not yet laying.

When I think my hens need a boost of protein I give them some cat food or dog food, because it is cheaper than cottage cheese or any other kind of people food. Commercial feed has the minimum of needed protein, and sometimes a growing pullet or a hen that has been laying well can benefit from a little more protein.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MJsdTMace0

 

I had that problem and then I found a whole clutch of eggs hidden. Be sure to look around good!