Black Australorps slowing down

[Cindychlvr]

I have a flock of about 23 Black Australorps. They are about I year old. Today my egg count was a womping 10 eggs. My egg count has seemed to decline recently. Usually I get about 14 or 15 eggs. The days are beautiful and long. Many of them have been broody which I asked advice for in another thread. They seem healthy. No mites. They get plenty of 20% layer feed. They are in a mobile chicken coop with plenty of room. We have some wild dogs which I feel I need to protect them from. They free range as much as possible. Am I missing anything? I am stumped as to why my egg count is rather low. Any ideas out there??? Thank You in advance!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

It may be the heat if you are in a heat wave.

 

[donrae]

The only things that jump out at me are age--"about 1 year". Most hens slow down around the 18 month mark, are yours hitting that?
And the free range--are they laying somewhere else? Have you gone on an egg hunt?

 

[Cindychlvr]

Thank you for all your input. We did have a heat wave. I have thought about them laying elsewhere. I will keep a keen eye.

Thanks for your ideas!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Thank you for all your input. We did have a heat wave. I have thought about them laying elsewhere. I will keep a keen eye.

Thanks for your ideas!!

Mine REALLY slow down in a heat wave- especially the Orpingtons.