1 year old hens not laying/stopped laying

[Dos Locos Polackos Acres]

I got 5 more hens last year around October. Our winter was rather mild this year but none of them really started laying before the cold set in and I know this is normal. I did get a couple of misfires from the EEs. One the weather started warming up 1EE was laying pretty regularly, but 2 others were not. Now that the weather has been pretty consistently warm during the day, but cold at night, most everyone is laying, except the original EE and one other EE. The original EE has not laid in approx. a week, he shells have been consistently fragile, with lots of bumps on the end. I do have oyster shell out for them to eat whenever they feel like they need it and use an egg maximizer feed from Atwood's. I came home this afternoon to a what appears to be another EE's egg(shell was firm and no bumps, slightly darker teal than we were previously getting).
I'm not sure what to do or how to check if they're egg bound or what might be going on. But I'm very concerned and need help, please!

 

[azygous]

It could be something simple like being out of sync with the season and their reproductive systems. Sometimes calcium citrate with D3 can reset their cycles, and within a short period they will be laying normally.

Another cause is inadequate absorption of calcium. This may be a temporary thing, and a little boost with the calcium citrate can restore calcium reserves so egg shells will come out sturdy and normal.

On rare occasions, a disease such as infectious bronchitis can disrupt egg laying and cause shell abnormalities. Paying attention to behavior and individual symptoms such as respiratory swelling and secretions can point to treatment that will return the hen to health and normal laying.

 

[Dos Locos Polackos Acres]

It could be something simple like being out of sync with the season and their reproductive systems. Sometimes calcium citrate with D3 can reset their cycles, and within a short period they will be laying normally. View attachment 3059194

Another cause is inadequate absorption of calcium. This may be a temporary thing, and a little boost with the calcium citrate can restore calcium reserves so egg shells will come out sturdy and normal.

On rare occasions, a disease such as infectious bronchitis can disrupt egg laying and cause shell abnormalities. Paying attention to behavior and individual symptoms such as respiratory swelling and secretions can point to treatment that will return the hen to health and normal laying.

Thank you very much! I'll get some calcium with D3 if I don't already have some on hand and give it to her. Do I just lay her peck at it or do I dissolve it in water? What's the best way to ensure she gets it in her system?

 

[aart]

First, before adding supplements, let's look at the basics.

use an egg maximizer feed from Atwood's.

What is the protein and calcium percentages on this feed?
It should be listed on a tag attached to bottom of bag.

Are you feeding any other foods/treats?

Our winter was rather mild this year but none of them really started laying before the cold set in and I know this is normal.

It's not about the cold it's about the amount of daylight.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Dos Locos Polackos Acres]

First, before adding supplements, let's look at the basics.

What is the protein and calcium percentages on this feed?
It should be listed on a tag attached to bottom of bag.

Are you feeding any other foods/treats?


It's not about the cold it's about the amount of daylight.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3059820

I live in Oklahoma, however I will go ahead and add it to my profile. Thank you for letting me know where/how to do it. As for the feed, I always dump it into a storage container to keep the rats, mice and goats out of it. As much as possible anyway. But I'll look into it. And get back to ya on that. I do feed a combo of corn scratch, black oil sunflower seeds and black soldier fly larvae. This particular hen will eat a little bit of treats, but prefers the feed over treats. I try not to feed them a whole lot of treats, but may just go ahead and either stop all together for a bit or really decrease the frequency(every morning) and/or amount. I have a big plastic cup that's marked in pound increments, tho I'm not sure how accurate it is and I fill it to just above the 3/4lb line for 8 hens.

 

[Dos Locos Polackos Acres]

First, before adding supplements, let's look at the basics.

What is the protein and calcium percentages on this feed?
It should be listed on a tag attached to bottom of bag.

Are you feeding any other foods/treats?


It's not about the cold it's about the amount of daylight.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3059820

So, I thought the amount of calcium and minerals would be listed on Atwood's website, but unfortunately, it isn't. I know the amount of protein is 21%-22%. I started feeding them higher protein feed when they were going thru their molt around October/November as the nights were getting pretty chilly even tho the days were mild. Same with adding in the BSFL and black oil sunflower seeds.