20 hens = NO EGGS

[Robin L]

I just started to get eggs again but was without fresh eggs since August. Only 1 out of 5 "older" hens giving me an egg a day, 1 in 7 "babies" giving me an egg every other day. Hang in there they will lay again.

 

[chicknmania]

Also, for what my two cents is worth, we don't use artificial light. I don't think it makes that much difference and anyway, we believe in letting the hens have a rest...that's what nature intended.

 

[setter4]

Quote:
Funny you should mention the Hen Union...I just yesterday told my DH that our hens must not belong to the union because I got 10 eggs from 10 hens again! I am thrilled. I really expected them to be tapering off by now due to the cold and the shorter days. No extra heat or light in the coop.
I HAVE been giving them spinach every day for about 2 weeks maybe it works on chickens like it did on Popeye!

 

[TaLani]

Quote:
Funny you should mention the Hen Union...I just yesterday told my DH that our hens must not belong to the union because I got 10 eggs from 10 hens again! I am thrilled. I really expected them to be tapering off by now due to the cold and the shorter days. No extra heat or light in the coop.
I HAVE been giving them spinach every day for about 2 weeks maybe it works on chickens like it did on Popeye!

 

[portlandpeeps]

Ours have been on strike since August. They free range all day, but I'd spot eggs in the yard it's pretty small. They molted about a month ago. We don't light the coop and don't plan to. I clean out their coop thoroughly every week, make sure they have plenty of food, oyster shells, grit, fresh water...but I get nothing in return. I've resorted to threats.

 

[19maycraft]

I have 8 hens, 3 silkies, 1 polish, 2 cochins, and 2 golden comets..I went from getting about 3.5 to 4 doz a week to 2 or 3 eggs a week....nothing has changed, I have always used a light coming on a 5 am till 8 am, all them time...what gives?

 

[speckledhen]

I have about 36 who have laid at least one egg, from 24 weeks up to 3 years old. I am getting 12-17 eggs each day. The molt can take months for some girls. I do not supplement light because I've had too many internal layers and I dont want to push them.

 

[Southernbelle]

I have 20 hens, too. Age and breed has something to do with it, too. I get about 3 pullet eggs a day - all green, so only my Ameraucanas are laying right now. Every once in a while I get a banty egg thrown in. We don't use supplimental light either. I don't mind my girls taking a break, but I really feel for everyone who's not getting any eggs at all!

 

[Bec]

You are so not alone! I have been waiting 4 weeks for an egg! My 7 Orps just turned 1 this past spring. Had no problems last winter, I was getting and egg per chicken each day! We supplemented in a few extra hours of light each day and everything was fine. I don't get why this year is different?? I have 9 babies that haven't started yet. It is a bit frustrating to go out and check and see nothing....I even tried singing to them..nada.

I am hoping it starts back up again soon!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Hmmm. Our ladies are laying well--20 - 28 eggs a day from 28 hens--but every time the weather changes all we get are teeny eggs. Which would be fine if not for the fact that we either don't sell or deeply discount cartons of smalls. And that's a LOT of eggs for my family to go through.

Chickens. What are ya gonna do?

Erika

eta: Our hens do get supplemental lighting. One red heat bulb in a 10'x16' building. But gosh, it's dark by 5:00 here.