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Egg count dropping

post #1 of 5
6/19/12 at 7:36am
Thread Starter 

I feed my 12 chickens lay feed, oyster shells, and scratch grain.  My egg count is dropping I collected 9 eggs one day 7 the next 2 then 6 and now I am down to collecting 4 eggs a day.  I let them out in the evening to " free range" in the back yard because they seem to love it.  What could be happening.  I have watched nothing is getting them at night or getting into the yard.

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post #2 of 5
6/19/12 at 7:43am

Hello!

 

My question is, how old are your hens?  Sometimes age is a factor. 

 

Could they be laying their eggs outside, since they get to free range?

 

Is it super hot where you are?  Sometimes extreme heat or cold can be a problem with production. 

 

Are any of your hens broody--spending alot of time in the nest boxes?  They will stop laying if they're broody.

 

Could they be molting?  Shedding feathers and getting new ones?  Sometimes they don't lay during a molt.

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #3 of 5
6/19/12 at 7:48am

Yup.  My 10 have gone from about 9 to about 5.  I'm seeing some feathers so probably at least one is in a molt though it's nothing that I can see on the chickens, yet.  I figure the rest of the decrease is probably the increasing heat.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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post #4 of 5
6/19/12 at 7:50am

Some say that adding a little black pepper to their food (like on a treat) will up the egg count......

Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here

Single Mom to The Cane Sisters: Candy & Benzo (EE), Nova & Sola (S.Sussex), Raisin & Citizen (SLW), Hurra (FBCM), Ameri & Ineeda (JGx), Lido (BLRW) + 1 horse, 3 dogs and 4 dumpcats

My Coop Building Page http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/670830/the-shed-is-here-omg-now-what#post_9055853

GREAT article on...

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Member of the Derperella Club-- We're just all goin' round' the rooster, here

Single Mom to The Cane Sisters: Candy & Benzo (EE), Nova & Sola (S.Sussex), Raisin & Citizen (SLW), Hurra (FBCM), Ameri & Ineeda (JGx), Lido (BLRW) + 1 horse, 3 dogs and 4 dumpcats

My Coop Building Page http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/670830/the-shed-is-here-omg-now-what#post_9055853

GREAT article on...

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post #5 of 5
6/19/12 at 7:50am
Thread Starter 

I not sure how old got them from a feed store I have had them for about a month almost 2 months with half of them.  No eggs in yard I sit outside with them because they are to funny to watch.  Then we do our yard walk to check just in case one got away.  No one seems to be broody they mostly lay in the holes in their pen when not chaseing the perfect bug around.  Molt not sure have not noticed feathers in their pen maybe one or 2 here or there.  Hot well that could be it I live in Texas been in the mid 90s for a good month.  I thought maybe food or to much grain or bugs or who knows............................

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