Birds not laying often enough.

[Floridachicks3403]

I have four Rhode Island red hens.They were hatched May 1, 2019. It was extremely hot this summer in northern Florida. They didn’t begin to lay until late August. Now, I never get four eggs a day. Usually two sometimes three. I don’t understand why they are not lying. I use good feed they get treats, I don’t think they’re bored. I thought they would be better layers.

 

[bpoore04]

With my experience, laying around 4 months old is a little early, considering mine start laying around 5-5 1/2 months. Also I have 8 hens that are laying right now and I never get 8 eggs a day. I don’t have any Rhode Island Red though so I can’t say for sure. I hope this helps a little

 

[cmom]

Mine have slacked off too. I think it may be from the change in weather. I give my birds good feed and treats. I was getting a dozen eggs from one of the coops and like someone turned off a light switch, not one egg for several days. Yesterday I did get one egg from that coop. I live near Ocala Florida. When pullets start laying they are sometimes sporadic and you will get some eggs then none and maybe an egg or two or none. They have to work out the kinks first. Come spring you will have all of the eggs you want. You are very lucky they started laying earlier than my RIR's have. If they are hatchery birds, hatchery birds usually do start laying sooner. I start hatching in February and my birds started laying in September. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Peepsi]

I have four Rhode Island red hens.They were hatched May 1, 2019. It was extremely hot this summer in northern Florida. They didn’t begin to lay until late August. Now, I never get four eggs a day. Usually two sometimes three. I don’t understand why they are not lying. I use good feed they get treats, I don’t think they’re bored. I thought they would be better layers.

Heat stress will make chickens lay less, and their eggs will often be thin-shelled.
Then, add to that the fact that the daylight hours are now shortening, and that triggers them to lay less, as winter approaches. Very few breeds of chickens lay just as well during during the winter as they do during the summer (warm or cold doesn't matter, it's the daylight hours), unless they are in an artificial environment where the lighting is controlled.

I wouldn't be too worried at this point. They'll be back and up and laying like gangbusters come February or March, when the daylight hours get longer.

 

[cmom]

My Leghorns are laying machines. They lay all of the time. If they take a break, it isn't for long.

 

[BGcoop]

If you are not getting the number of eggs you want, may I suggest using chicken math?

 

[GC-Raptor]

My Leghorns are laying machines. They lay all of the time. If they take a break, it isn't for long.

I see you also have Rhode Island Whites. Are they prolific layers? Are they close to your Leghorns in production? I ask because they are a different breed than RIR, which the hatchery strain is a prolific brown egg layer. GC

 

[cmom]

My RIW's are good layers. They tend to go broody more too.

 

[cmom]

My first birds to start laying this year was my Brown Leghorns.

 

[Mandrogora]

Most chickens do not lay eggs every day. Rhode island reds typically lay 5 eggs a week. It sounds like they are laying normally. If you want more eggs, you'll need more chickens.