Breeding/Laying problems

[thegoatpacker]

A few months ago, my hens went into molt and are still there. Egg production has fallen by about 40% and low fertility. I see almost no signs of active breeding. Last year breeding activity was almost constant. I feed 28% Gamebird crumbles. Any ideas?

 

[Angiebubs]

Any signs or mites or lice? Usually a molt doesn't take that long to complete so I am wondering if there is something else causing the feathers to not grow in as fast.

 

[thegoatpacker]

No signs of anything like that-no scratching or irritation. They act completely normal except for the breeding activity and bare backs.

 

[Angiebubs]

Hmm I would try adding some poultry vitamins to their water as a start-see if you can get them over the molt faster and back to laying.

Have you fed the higher protein feed all along or just during their molt? If you've been feeding this all along-do they seem over weight? as that will cause infrequent or no laying.

 

[thegoatpacker]

They have been on this feed all along.

 

[dc3085]

I would definitely put them on some vitamins since it can't hurt anything and if they have a vitamin deficiency it may the only thing that helps them.

Where do you keep them? what is their light situation like? Is there a light on around them at night (street lamp, christmas lights, anything that produces light) ?

If you could upload a picture it might help (might not either but you never know)

 

[Angiebubs]

+1 on confirming the light situation

What breeds are you keeping? I am thinking that the higher protein level regularly may cause your hens to be over weight. Which can lead to lower/non laying. I know there are some breeds that do better on higher % though