consistent low volume egg production?

Date sort Score sort
LAHCHICK

LAHCHICK

Hatching
Jul 22, 2015
9
0
7
Los Altos Hills, Ca
Hoping someone might be able to help...I am helping a friend out with some research to why they have consistent low volume egg production and have done a lot of reading, but thought I would get some direct input:

+ 8 hens total, never have received more than 3-4 eggs a day

+ hens are about 1.5 years old and have had the same production since they started laying

+ They have a great hen house and coop that is cleaned daily and are protected from outside creatures and elements in a mild California climate

+ They have 24 hour access to fresh water and crumble

+ They are fed oyster shells, worms and garden scraps daily

+ They are fed scratch sparingly.

+ Is there anything else that can be done? Are there any supplements that are missing or a change to feeding that would help increase egg production? Any tips that might help us would be greatly appreciated!



 
welcome-byc.gif
You say they have 24 hour access to 'crumble'. Is that a layer feed? They need a feed especially formulated for egg production for maximum egg laying. What breeds does your friend have? Not all breeds are high production birds.
 
You say hen house and coop, semantics but....a 'coop' is where they usually sleep(roost) and has nests for laying......a 'run' is an enclosed mesh area outside the coop.

Do they free range or are they confined to a run?
They can lay out in a range area instead of the nests and need to be 'trained' to lay in coop nests.

How big is coop(feet by feet)?

Sounds like maybe some of them have never laid.
Close observation of who is laying what can help keep track if there's problem, but after 1.5 years some of them may be molting.
There are lots of variables.
 
Ah yes, so many apologies for not actually knowing what I am talking about...I am sure I am making you all cringe!

+ They have a large enclosed mesh run area, I would say 20' x 20' and the coop where they sleep and lay is probably 6' x 4'....

+ They do not have free range, but are confined to the run area.

+ They lay eggs both in the coop and outside of the coop in various spots in the run.

+ I am suspecting that some maybe have never laid, which is why the production has been the same their entire lifespan

The things we are looking into to help (other then assuming some are not laying or that some are going into molting):

+ reduce amount of human scraps and limit human carbs (bread etc.)
+ reduce worms
+ very limited scratch
+ make oysters shells available all day in feeder? in a rabbit feed hopper?
+ need higher protein feed? possible THIS ONE?

Any other thoughts!?
 
LAHCHICK said:
Ah yes, so many apologies for not actually knowing what I am talking about...I am sure I am making you all cringe!

+ They have a large enclosed mesh run area, I would say 20' x 20' and the coop where they sleep and lay is probably 6' x 4'....

+ They do not have free range, but are confined to the run area.

+ They lay eggs both in the coop and outside of the coop in various spots in the run.

+ I am suspecting that some maybe have never laid, which is why the production has been the same their entire lifespan

The things we are looking into to help (other then assuming some are not laying or that some are going into molting):

+ reduce amount of human scraps and limit human carbs (bread etc.)
+ reduce worms
+ very limited scratch
+ make oysters shells available all day in feeder? in a rabbit feed hopper?
+ need higher protein feed? possible THIS ONE?

Any other thoughts!?
Click to expand...
6x4 coop is too small for 8 birds, crowding stress could play a part in not laying.
and too small to confine in cop to 'force' laying in nests.

What's the climate? Here we usually ask to put location in profile.

When in doubt about diet, go to a basic layer feed and nothing else.
Or a higher protein feed and a few other things...keep daily protein at 16% bare minimum.
Oyster shells always available in a separate container(not in feeder) never hurts.
Give this a few weeks before assessing...more if molt is obvious.

oldhenlikesdogs said:
I'm just gonna say most of those breeds lay ever 2-3 days, so I don't think anything is wrong.
Click to expand...
Nah...never more than 4 eggs out of 8 birds in a day ever?
All those breeds should lay at least 3-4 times a week in first year, the red star 6-7.
 
- what size coop would be good for 8 hens? If crowding stress is an issue?

- profile updated with climate- we are located in Los Altos Hills in CA, just south of San Francisco

- there is no obvious molt happening

- In the months I have been working with them NEVER more than 4 eggs and apparently it has ALWAYS been that way

- We know the Polish is not a big egg laying bred but were under the impression the others should lay at least one a day

any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
 
you are correct in saying that most of your chickens are a one a day breed. My Red Star and Barred Rock both lay daily. Did you ever fix your issue. It sounded like you were on the right tract with dietary concerns.
 

Similar threads

S
Low Egg Production
2
Replies
13
Views
1K
Sophia V
S
M
No Eggs Since September
Replies
5
Views
667
wrathsfarm
wrathsfarm
chooky_2_shoes
Consistent shell-less eggs from Belgian d'Uccle
Replies
6
Views
578
jessejeanne
J
R
    • Like
Established Flock Roosting issues and lower egg production
Replies
8
Views
726
RBoschee
R
Brehchickens
One Hen Laying in the Evening - Flock is Eating the Egg. Please help 🙏
2
Replies
10
Views
816
aart
aart

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom