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A drop off in production

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Sasquatch, Mar 23, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Mar 23, 2009 #1
    Sasquatch

    Sasquatch Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 3, 2008
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    I have 10 gold sex link pullets which have wintered over quite well. But for the last 2 weeks they are driving me nuts. I am only getting 6-8 eggs per day. On Saturday I added a pan of oyster shell calcium, thinking that would return the lay rate. Yesterday I got 9 eggs and my hopes revived. Today, I only have 5.

    These hens are right at one year old. They aren't losing feathers, so it can't be molt. Help!
     
  3. Mar 23, 2009 #2
    PurpleChicken

    PurpleChicken Tolerated.....Mostly

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    Did they molt over the winter?

    Those egg numbers sound normal for this time of year, depending
    on the temp where you live.
     
  5. Mar 23, 2009 #3
    Chicken03

    Chicken03 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Mar 20, 2009
    Western Pa
    Could something be stressing them out? Maybe give them some kind of feed supplement.
     
  7. Mar 23, 2009 #4
    Sasquatch

    Sasquatch Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 3, 2008
    Idaho
    My shock is that I was getting 9-10 a day through the coldest part of winter. It is now in the upper 30s and spring is coming.
     
  9. Mar 23, 2009 #5
    crazy huhn

    crazy huhn Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Are they free-ranging and hiding some eggs?
    Consider to check the beaks for signs of shell pieces or yolk. Maybe you do have an eggeater.
     
  11. Mar 23, 2009 #6
    Sasquatch

    Sasquatch Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 3, 2008
    Idaho
    They are in a green house with a floor with straw spread on it. Day time tems are balmy (in the 70s).
     
  13. Mar 23, 2009 #7
    JessaLynn

    JessaLynn Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Aug 7, 2008
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    My girls slowed down a bit for a couple weeks and then picked right back up.I'm sure they just needed a break.[​IMG]
     
  15. Mar 25, 2009 #8
    Sasquatch

    Sasquatch Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 3, 2008
    Idaho
    I got 5 yesterday and 8 today. 8 is acceptable, 5 is not.
     
  17. Mar 25, 2009 #9
    Judy

    Judy Moderator Staff Member

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    Mine have been more up and down for a month or so, after laying well in the coldest weather. They do what they do, I guess.
     
  19. Mar 25, 2009 #10
    WindcrestChickens

    WindcrestChickens Out Of The Brooder

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    Feb 11, 2008
    New Hampshire
    Sasquatch, mine are doing the EXACT same thing. I have 11, and I am getting about 6 eggs a day, where it used to be 9-10. This has been happening off and on over the winter.

    I am basically thinking they are sick of the winter coop (in our barn) and are ready to get back out to their nicer digs. This weekend I am doing a big cleaning and clearing out, and the girls are heading back to their outside set up.

    I also have at least 2 egg eaters. I caught them in the act yesterday morning. I almost flipped a lid....Watching them attack those beauties really ticked me off.

    Not sure why they do that? Hmmmm
     

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