Low Egg Production Question

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gltrap54

gltrap54

Songster
13 Years
Mar 26, 2010
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50
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Have 12 hens, 2 are 4 yo, 5 are 2 yo, & 5 are 1 yo............ Red sex links & Buff Orps..... Getting 3-4 eggs daily...... Will worms reduce egg production? Have yet to worm a chicken in all my years, but.... Bought three of the two year olds recently from a questionable source & failed to quarantine them, dumb move.... Now I'm concerned I may have infected my flock....
 
Never wormed ever either and I'm overrun with eggs currently.

Bringing in new birds can cause stress that would lowers production for a while.

5 year old hens don't lay much if any.

Sex links tend to burn out earlier than other breeds and seem to need a higher protein feed to sustain such high production. So feed something with more protein than most layer rations, which are usually 16%. I recommend a ration with 18-22%.
 
And, if they are getting scratch, ditch it. Try switching to fermented feed. Don't worm them, unless you have fecal float test that indicates a load of worms that is worthy of treating. That test will also tell you what kind of worms you are dealing with, if any.
 
Thanks folks! I feed 15% crumble with a small amount of BOSS as a daily treat.... Do they need more protein?
 
I would try a multi flock which is about 20% protein, and offer oyster shell on the side. I would also be fermenting their feed. It may be time to cull the older birds and start some chicks.
 
You definitely need a higher protein feed. Watch the boss, it can cause internal fat that interferes with laying and can cause health problems.
 
lazy gardener said:
I would try a multi flock which is about 20% protein, and offer oyster shell on the side. I would also be fermenting their feed. It may be time to cull the older birds and start some chicks.
Click to expand...

I'll need to find another feed source as my farm & home only carries 15% (I think)..... How do I ferment their feed? From a production standpoint, culling is an obvious approach, but I'm not wild about getting rid of the old girls....... I offer oyster shell .....
 
There's a fermented feeds thread in the feeding and watering forum. I personally don't want to mess around with doing it. Finding a higher protein feed or adding higher protein extras would optimize your hens production. They can't continue to produce eggs which are mostly protein without adequate amounts in their feeds. Bare minimum daily need are 16%, so yours are running a bit short. Find a different feed and see if it improves. It may take a few weeks to months.
 
gltrap54 said:
I'll need to find another feed source as my farm & home only carries 15% (I think)..... How do I ferment their feed? From a production standpoint, culling is an obvious approach, but I'm not wild about getting rid of the old girls....... I offer oyster shell .....
Click to expand...
Hey gltrap54... wondered if you had any resolution? I am also dealing with low production and looking for answers in older threads :)
 

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