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Junior Member
 
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Last Login: 2/9/2012 2:09:37 PM
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We have 6 hens that are now a little over a year old. We went from 5 - 6 eggs a day down to 2. I dont usually get the eggs so I just noticed this. The wife says she doesnt know how long its been happening and I can only say for sure the last two days.
We have 4 more hens that should start laying any time now. We also have a rooster that just started crowing this morning (He is the same age as the new hens).
The hens all have plenty of space, a big run, and we usually let them out in the afternoon (after the eggs are laid) to free range across the whole property. The free range is going to be on temporary hold because they destroyed some of our pumpkins and we lost 2 hens.
Anyone have any suggestions as to what the issue may be?
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New Member
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Last Login: 10/27/2010 5:26:34 PM
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| Are you sure they are not eating them before you can get to them? If not maybe a vitamin deficiency.
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New Member
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Last Login: 3/11/2011 8:06:15 PM
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In the summer our hens lay in all kinds of different places. Some are dedicated coop layers, others do it in the barn, under my tractor, in the pig paddocks (not really a good idea...).
My point is that you should look around to see if they've been laying while free ranged. Or, since you are not letting them out now, check tomorrow and see how many you have.
Brian Wright
Large Black and Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs
Raised humanely on pasture
Homegrown Acres
Heritage Hog Blog
HomegrownAcres@gmail.com
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Average Member
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Last Login: 2/9/2012 7:38:24 PM
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| Has the weather changed? I know if it goes extremely hot they get off their laying schedule (high humidity does it here too) also if they run out of water or food (even a couple hours- somedays mine eat more than other days or drink more and it effects their laying) I check mine in the morning and when I get home and there was a couple days they had a full contianer of water in the morning, 12 hours later they were completely out, and the next day their production was off..
Livin to learn
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 2/9/2012 10:49:57 PM
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| Are they molting (shedidng feathers and growing new ones)? Mine are and our egg production is way down beacause the protient they're eating is going for new feathers and not eggs. Once the feathers are replaced,egg production will increase as long as I have a light on to lengthen their laying day.
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 2/8/2012 5:59:45 AM
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Hens do slow down about this time of year when they go into a molt. Ours usually start laying again after the first of the year. I guess this is nature's wasy of giving them a rest.
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Advanced Member
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| You could be like us, the pullets weren't old enough and the older ones that P2 had left were laying like every other day, so guess what I wormed them and they all started laying again. I had 3 wks of eggs that I had to through away. The welsummer that never layed started laying after the worming, too.
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Senior Member
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| Our older hens are going through a moult right now too. We have about 30 hens and are down to 8-10 eggs a day. Pitiful, but it is just that time of year. While your young rooster may have started crowing, it will probably be at least a month until the pullets start laying. I was surprised the other day to see a 6 week old Cuckoo Maran cockerel trying to mount one of the same-aged Cornish cross pullets. Boy, was she upset! And about three times his size. He's got big aspirations for someone who's destined for the stew pot.
Karen http://www.facebook.com/MrsKsCreations
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 1/25/2011 2:46:54 AM
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My eggs have gone down too, from 12 to 8 or 9, but don't worry, it's molting season. I would however look around your property because I have a hen that jumped my fence and has a nest somewhere. She comes back intermittently to eat and drink, then when your not looking she disappears again. She may even have babies by now, but she hasn't brought them out yet. Put golf balls in your layer boxes. They will look for somewhere else to lay if they think you are taking all the eggs. Don't for get to worm them, and dump the eggs until you are through the period where the worming meds will not be in the eggs.
Nalani Lloyd, Hawaii
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