Our 6 hens came into laying in January. Even during the winter they were giving us 6 eggs a day. Last week our 2 lead hens became broody & quit laying. We isolated them & the broodiness was cured. But they still aren't laying & overall egg productivity is down to just 3 or 4 eggs a day.
My questions are:
1. When can we expect the 2 broodies to start laying again?
2. Will their cessation of laying cause the hens "under" them to lay less? I know the pecking order is important.
3. After their broodiness was broken I found a shell-less (paper) egg. Could this be b/c the broody hens were not eating & developed a mineral deficiency?
I just want to know what timetable to expect normalcy so I don't overlook another issue. Overall, they hens are healthy & robust, free of mites & eating well. Thanks in advance!
My questions are:
1. When can we expect the 2 broodies to start laying again?
2. Will their cessation of laying cause the hens "under" them to lay less? I know the pecking order is important.
3. After their broodiness was broken I found a shell-less (paper) egg. Could this be b/c the broody hens were not eating & developed a mineral deficiency?
I just want to know what timetable to expect normalcy so I don't overlook another issue. Overall, they hens are healthy & robust, free of mites & eating well. Thanks in advance!
