Aging hens???

[juliejohnson805]

so I have a mixed flock most are the same age, around 2 years old. I have 4-BO, 2-Dom, 2-BR, 2-RSL, 2-JG, 1-EO, and 3-EE. Last summer we routinely got 10-12 eggs a day. This summer I’m getting 4-7. Only change is I’ve added to flock this year. These were purchased as day old chicks in March. We added 3-GLW, 3-BFCM with one being a roo. We lost our EE roo last fall.
I know they slow down laying as they age but wasn’t expecting it this quick. Is this normal?

 

[sourland]

They are at the age when they will be taking a 'break' in the laying cycle. They may very well molt before they restart laying at a rate somewhat less than last year.

 

[Morrigan]

Were they laying well in the spring? Egg production does fall from year to year, but if they are only in their second year of laying, they should still be pretty productive. Some chickens will start the molting process in late summer and stop laying altogether for a few months. Are you seeing feathers in the coop?

 

[RWise]

At around 2 they are going to molt (18 - 22 months about), they will do better on a high protein feed, if your not already using one. I use "Purina startina game bird chow for growth and feathers", and oyster shell on the side. The rooster can safely eat this, he will mostly not get into the oyster shell,,,mostly..