Really Confused

We have 14 hens, all of which turned 22 weeks right at Christmas time. They took a little longer, but started to lay as soon as the weather changed. They were laying excellent in fact. Cold weather started the month of march and ENDED ALL PRODUCTION. NOTHING. Like a light switch-the eggs were gone. I chalked it up to temps. Now its its hitting 60-70 EVERY DAY for the last month and still NOTHING. I put them on a higher protein. Their Lights go out at night, and they are even on a higher protein feed... and the coop is even clean, What the heck is going on???????????????????????????

Could they be eating the eggs.

Are they happy? Or are they scared of something like a new dog or something different that they are not used too?
Try giving them some treats or something like cracked corn on table scraps.

Could they be hiding eggs? You can check their vents and abdomens to see if they are laying, assuming you can catch them. If they are laying, but not in the nest box, you likely have a bunch of ladies who all found an awesome new hiding spot.

http://thehomesteadinghippy.com/how-to-tell-if-a-chicken-is-still-laying/

You mentioned lights, were you supplementing light during the winter?

Do you free range?
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.



Also check the pelvic points:
Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

indianabroilers said:

We have 14 hens, all of which turned 22 weeks right at Christmas time. They took a little longer, but started to lay as soon as the weather changed. They were laying excellent in fact. Cold weather started the month of march and ENDED ALL PRODUCTION. NOTHING. Like a light switch-the eggs were gone. I chalked it up to temps. Now its its hitting 60-70 EVERY DAY for the last month and still NOTHING. I put them on a higher protein. Their Lights go out at night, and they are even on a higher protein feed... and the coop is even clean, What the heck is going on???????????????????????????

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I think it may be exercising if your coop is smaller they may not be getting enough run space. Calcium they need need need oyster shells, mix it with a banana or something soft they like. I’ve heard you can reuse egg shells but I’m not so sure. My coop is at 40 but has dropped to 30 because of the weather. I’ll still get 6-8 a day mine also get dog food in the morning with unlimited layer feed.

Sweet Road Island Reds said:

I think it may be exercising if your coop is smaller they may not be getting enough run space. Calcium they need need need oyster shells, mix it with a banana or something soft they like. I’ve heard you can reuse egg shells but I’m not so sure. My coop is at 40 but has dropped to 30 because of the weather. I’ll still get 6-8 a day mine also get dog food in the morning with unlimited layer feed.

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HI, this post is 5 yrs old.

Dog food? Every day?

SulkyBantam said:

HI, this post is 5 yrs old.

Dog food? Every day?

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Oh my gosh I didn’t even look whoops! But yes I try and kept my girls lean while trying to build muscle it really helps the egg production and the taste they are bright orange and the just lay a long time they enjoy it I’ll mix in grit shells yogurt oats seeds anything to help their digestive tract

Sweet Road Island Reds said:

Oh my gosh I didn’t even look whoops! But yes I try and kept my girls lean while trying to build muscle it really helps the egg production and the taste they are bright orange and the just lay a long time they enjoy it I’ll mix in grit shells yogurt oats seeds anything to help their digestive tract

Click to expand...

What kind of dog food? Never heard of that before.

I suggest keeping the grit on the side so they can choose of they want it.