Are they done????(laying)

[imafarmgirl]

We have 7 laying hens, an older(6yrs) black australorp-the last of the older flock, and 6 white leghorns(3yrs old). We have gotten no eggs, other than an odd 1 or possibly 2 every few days/week. Are they done already? I find it hard to believe that the australorp layed well into her 5th year and the leghorns would be done before they even hit their 4th summer. We thought perhaps it was the layer mash we were getting from our local feed store, we have begun changing it out....but maybe not?

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Was this a sudden drop in egg production, or has it been a gradual tapering off? Did you keep lights on them all winter, or not?

I have a few ideas, but need more information.

 

[imafarmgirl]

It has been a fairly gradual decrease in production, lights have been on all winter. Just got one egg this morning, from the Australorp-brown egg. I expect a decrease over the winter, but usually production picks up about now.

 

[gamerooster man]

hens usually quit laying at about 4 yrs old its best just to go ahead and sell them

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

With all the breeds I've kept over the years, I've noticed my production breeds fizzle out faster then my heritage breeds.
This is just my opinion, so take it for what its worth, but if you've been keeping lights on them every winter to get eggs when they would normally slack off- that's most likely caused them to fizzle out faster.
I would also let them go and get some new layers.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Yep, I think they're done. Production breeds don't lay much after their third year.