At The End Of My Rope....

[hinchbug]

I am desperate!!! My 3 buffs and 1 black austro have not layed any eggs in 4 months. Plenty of water, Layena crumbles, kitchen treats and oyster shell. They free range a few times a week, have a light on a timer from3 to 11am. What am i missing? One of the buffs looks awful with missing feathers but has looked that way for months and not completed the molt. I am afraid if they don't pick up the pace they'll have to go. I mean...I need at least a few eggs!!! HELP!!!

 

[Emzyyy]

Are they eating the eggs?

 

[ranchhand]

How old are they?

Any chance they are laying in a secret location? Look up when searching, not just down.

You might have a predator stealing the eggs- I race a rat snake daily for the eggs.

He can eat 4 at a go.

Also, it sounds like you are providing light 17 or so hours a day? That's a lot.

Hope you can figure it out!

 

[Tala]

missing feathers often = lack of protein
protein is required to make eggs

Perhaps try adding protein to their diet.
You can feed them cat food treats, BOSS with the shell, higher protein food (such as grower or game bird feed) etc.

 

[jjthink]

I would not give them all that light during hours that are not natural. Their bodies need to rest from egg laying during the 'shorter' days of the year and definitely during molt. So many 'desperate' threads for eggs at this time of year but they are not year round egg machines. If they are forced to be they will die young and painfully. Keep their nutrition high (with that extra protein for feathering as noted above), love them and they'll lay in the spring, if not sooner. In the meantime, I look for store bought eggs from chickens raised most humanely.

JJ

 

[Minniechickmama]

I have 8 hens that were not laying and I followed the advice of someone on BYC and gave them calf manna. I had eggs starting again in 3 days. They are laying, though not everyone every day, and without supplemental light. The manna has the protein they need and it kicked my girls into gear. Good luck.

 

[lilmouthy]

Are you sure they aren't laying when you let them free range? I had thought I found all my girls hiding places,then the other day,my DD found a nest with 6 eggs in it. So,I've learned not to only look in their normal hiding places,but everywhere that they have access to.

 

[maf2008]

I was thinking about adding light..... in the coop run at night to stimulate egg production. But I agree, I want to give the hens a rest over the winter. We can buy eggs if needed a few months! the hens need a rest! Good idea!
Quote:

 

[Cindy in PA]

Isn't it funny how most layer feed is only 16% & then everyone adds protein in the form of cat food etc. Wouldn't just be easier to be able to buy 20%+ chicken feed? Anything over 16% is really hard to find here, that is why I usually feed 19% gamebird feed. I would kill to be able to get 20% Gamebird Layena. Higher protein & animal products. JMHO.

 

[MIKE555444]

I may be way off here but I would like to suggest that the manufactures who formulate the layer feed have done all research to know what diet is needed to produce eggs. If it is eggs that we want then we may want to follow their formula. Maybe your problem could be excessive treats? My children would eat pizza rather than a healthy dinner if I give them the choice... Even though it is not healthy for them or the best possible diet for growth.

Maybe try a strict diet of Layer feed and water and see what happens?