All chickens laying unpredictably?

[xtinedodge]

Hi there! I've happily been the keeper and mama of a flock of chickens for almost 4 years now. For the first time this year, I am seeing really strange patterns in the laying of hens. One hen that I thought was quite old suddenly began laying again after not laying for over a year. Then our girl who just started and laid every day without fail has suddenly ceased. I know the day's are getting a little shorter but they have gentle supplemental light (christmas lights) for a few extra hours in the AM + PM. One hen had a hard molt and is very listless but - and here's the strange thing - they all jockey for position in one particular nesting box literally all day long. As if they're all desperate to lay (they have the choice of 5 others) and then there will be no eggs at all come nightfall. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has seen this behavior of (seemingly) needing terribly to lay but nothing coming of it. Also, what can I be doing to support them more than they are -- they eat high quality hen feed, fresh vegetables as treats, occasional mealworms, they have TONS of space and free range for several hours a day. I just treated the entire flock for coccidiosis because I was nervous that maybe they are all unwell. I give them ACV and garlic in their waters, which I change every day. I'm worried about them and at a loss of what else I can do to keep them healthy and strong -- the eggs don't matter, I don't eat them, I just want them healthy. TIA

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Erratic laying doesn't necessarily indicate a health problem. Especially this time of year.
A bird that has been on your property more than a few months has long been resistant to the species of coccidia located there so coccidiosis is highly unlikely.
Your layer feed is likely to be 16% protein. That is at the low end of what they need for making eggs, maintaining body and immunity. If they get much in the line of treats, that cuts the protein even more.
Since they aren't laying well now, I would switch to a higher protein grower or all flock feed with oyster shell on the side for those still making egg shells.

 

[xtinedodge]

Erratic laying doesn't necessarily indicate a health problem. Especially this time of year.
A bird that has been on your property more than a few months has long been resistant to the species of coccidia located there so coccidiosis is highly unlikely.
Your layer feed is likely to be 16% protein. That is at the low end of what they need for making eggs, maintaining body and immunity. If they get much in the line of treats, that cuts the protein even more.
Since they aren't laying well now, I would switch to a higher protein grower or all flock feed with oyster shell on the side for those still making egg shells.

thank you so much! I really appreciate the tips.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Erratic laying doesn't necessarily indicate a health problem. Especially this time of year.
A bird that has been on your property more than a few months has long been resistant to the species of coccidia located there so coccidiosis is highly unlikely.
Your layer feed is likely to be 16% protein. That is at the low end of what they need for making eggs, maintaining body and immunity. If they get much in the line of treats, that cuts the protein even more.
Since they aren't laying well now, I would switch to a higher protein grower or all flock feed with oyster shell on the side for those still making egg shells.

^^^ Good advice generally for backyard keepers. I'm in agreement.

and while I have a somewhat larger flock (see signature), I don't track individual layers, and thus lack the experience to comment further as to needed minimum light levels, etc. I've struggled with early and lengthy molts all year in my older birds, and aging up to laying age a large number of mutt birds I can no longer tell apart visually in many cases.