A drop off in production

[Sasquatch]

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!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Did they molt over the winter?

Those egg numbers sound normal for this time of year, depending
on the temp where you live.

 

[Chicken03]

Could something be stressing them out? Maybe give them some kind of feed supplement.

 

[Sasquatch]

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.

 

[crazy huhn]

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.

 

[Sasquatch]

They are in a green house with a floor with straw spread on it. Day time tems are balmy (in the 70s).

 

[JessaLynn]

My girls slowed down a bit for a couple weeks and then picked right back up.I'm sure they just needed a break.

 

[Sasquatch]

I got 5 yesterday and 8 today. 8 is acceptable, 5 is not.

 

[Judy]

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.

 

[WindcrestChickens]

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