I have decided that it is IMPOSSIBLE to try to figure chickens out! They are a mystery sometimes! So here's the problem: My seven RIR hens, 18 months old, have not been laying well since winter was over. Maybe one or two eggs a day They layed great with a little artificial light assistance over the winter, new chicken coup in the spring, stopped laying almost completely. I know, stressed, right? I gave it some time, locked them in on a couple cool days, they had no problem roosting in there, but no eggs!I have tried everything. Got rid of some young roosters when I thought they were too mean, segregated out my GOOD rooster when I thought he was keeping them too busy, attached a small run and confined them to that and the henhouse (normally they are free range, but I thought they may be hiding eggs in field), put lots of straw in nesting boxes (which they promptly pushed out), put golf balls in nests. And I just found a big clutch of eggs in another shed today from a week ago before I "locked" them back down to try that again now that the weather is cool, so I know they CAN lay. Yeah, I know, now the problem is probably that they are molting, there are lots of feathers, but does anyone know what else could have been the problem earlier? I have nine 5 monthers who I do not want to have the same issue with when they start laying! Please help!
