4 Hens- 1 egg per day...at the end of my rope

[Lisa-Lu]

Could it be that they are stressed because of something? I had a similar thing occur to me after a fox attack, all but one of my hens stopped laying for several months. I thought it was very odd at the time, but perhaps she was just a tough one.

Nothing that we know of. They all seem very happy. there hasn't been any predator issues. They free range half the time and they dust bathe and cluck and talk to us and eat out of our hands. This has been so frustrating just trying to change this and wait, change that and wait, and we never see results!

 

[Evelyn Walker]

Is it possible that they are hiding their eggs? If they free range, it's definitely a possibility. If they aren't, then I have no clue why you're getting so few eggs. Others have already addressed any other ideas I had. Perhaps it's time to bring in some new blood..

 

[rosemarythyme]

I haven't tried the ceramic eggs because in the beginning 3 of them were laying, so would they need reminded of what goes in there?

they are emptying their feed container every day just about. They arent fat by any means.

A couple of things:

- I'd put the fake eggs back in. Some chickens get upset by not seeing them there because that makes the spot look no longer safe to lay in (someone ate my eggs!)

- If they're actually emptying the feeder then try providing more feed during the day.

- You mentioned you're free ranging. Are you 100% sure (i.e. you follow them around during the day, you have cameras) that they aren't laying elsewhere? I'd advise locking them in the run for a few days... they'll be a bit cranky but it's a surefire way of making sure they're not laying elsewhere.

 

[Lisa-Lu]

Is it possible that they are hiding their eggs? If they free range, it's definitely a possibility. If they aren't, then I have no clue why you're getting so few eggs. Others have already addressed any other ideas I had. Perhaps it's time to bring in some new blood..

We had looked everywhere we could think of a couple weeks ago, but I am going to look more extensively this evening. Even though they free range, they have a few favorite spots they like to hang out, so I will investigate further.

 

[chkva]

Add more calcium to their diet with oyster shells or bake their egg shells and crush them... Put them in a dish and let them eat it freely. I've realized the calcium in layers food isn't enough for some and they need an added source. I don't give ACV daily, I do it once a week and I do 1 TBS in a gallon waterer one day a week then empty the water the next day and do fresh water the rest of the week (use a plastic waterer). When I do ACV daily, my chickens get shell less eggs and it messes up their whole system.

I put turmeric and garlic powder in their feed daily... I'm not sure if this does anything with their eggs, but it's something the vet says to do. I just follow what they say

I give organic sesame seeds and kale daily as well. My chickens are obsessed with both.

My RSL have been laying perfect eggs for 3 weeks straight (they just started laying). So I'll say what I do is perfect for them. My OE lays consistently every other day (started laying 2 months ago).

Look around, they might be laying elsewhere. Many times free range chickens will lay where ever they please and you think they're not laying. I've had this happen!

Not all chickens are the same though. Just like people, they all are different.

 

[Lisa-Lu]

A couple of things:

- I'd put the fake eggs back in. Some chickens get upset by not seeing them there because that makes the spot look no longer safe to lay in (someone ate my eggs!)

- If they're actually emptying the feeder then try providing more feed during the day.

- You mentioned you're free ranging. Are you 100% sure (i.e. you follow them around during the day, you have cameras) that they aren't laying elsewhere? I'd advise locking them in the run for a few days... they'll be a bit cranky but it's a surefire way of making sure they're not laying elsewhere.

-Thanks for your help! Will put the fake eggs back in there.
-They aren't emptying every crumb out of the feeder, there is still some left, but I will fill it more.
-They free range but its sporadic. We work full-time so they dont get let out until 4 PM M-F and they are out usually all day on Sat & Sun. I would think if they were laying, someone would have to lay during those hours that they are in the coop? Do they hold their eggs until they are in the spot they like laying in? I will also do an extensive search of the property.

 

[Lisa-Lu]

@chkva, am I right in assuming you are in Check, VA? I'm in Christiansburg! thank you for all the advice. I think a good hunt around the yard will be my first step this evening and then adding the ACV will be my next step.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We work full-time so they dont get let out until 4 PM M-F and they are out usually all day on Sat & Sun. I would think if they were laying, someone would have to lay during those hours that they are in the coop? Do they hold their eggs until they are in the spot they like laying in? I will also do an extensive search of the property.

Hmm I doubt they'd hold onto eggs that long, not if they'd have to do that daily. Checking around the property is still a good idea, just in case.

Another thought is, you haven't seen any evidence of broken eggs or anything correct? Egg eating is also a possibility, though probably unlikely, but with that you should see some evidence of it in the coop or run.

 

[Lisa-Lu]

The blobs of egg white that one of them is laying is only evidence of a broken egg. But there is no shell and no yolks and I've caught her as she finishes laying it, so it's not whole to begin with.

We did a search of every possible place eggs could be hidden with no luck. So I'm back to square one...again

 

[Sequel]

Hi! Gosh that's frustrating! I just read through the thread, and it sounds like the one laying funny goo might have a reproductive issue. You will get better help with that one in the Emergency forum. The only thing I would suggest is to add another feeder. You said you work all day, and they act starving when you give them treats, well mine do too I think that's pretty normal, but such low rates of lay in young apparently healthy birds except possibly the one just sounds to me like they're not getting enough to eat. Some feed left in the feeder may be feed they can't get to??? One could be keeping the others from eating enough, I have one that does that. Anyhow it would be very easy and very cheap and I hope for you it's as simple as that! Good luck and let us know how they do!