Can anything be done about lazy or non-layers?

[billmac]

I got 12 chicks in the spring (Rhode Island Reds). They started laying in late summer. Eventually we were getting 9-10 eggs a day, sometimes 11. I think we got 12 once at most. We had a few egg-eating issues but I truly think we got over them. I never find wetness or egg debris in the nests now. We lost 1 chicken, which I assume was one of our good layers.

So now we have 11 hens and average about 8 eggs a day. Is there any way to easily identify the hens that aren't laying well, other than isolation? More importantly, is there anything I can do for them that might jump-start their laying? They get Agway layer pellets, shells and grit.

Thanks

 

[The Chicken People]

Do they get 14 hours of light per day?

 

[KKatknap]

Egg production generally slows down in the winter (and with some breeds stops altogether). If you provide them with extra light (to make 14 hrs/day as mentioned above), that helps. Also, they stop laying while molting. Extra protein in their diet helps them through molting and back to laying.

 

[TXmom]

Wow, I think 8 eggs from 11 hens is great! You're averaging 5 eggs/hen per week. I don't get that many eggs from mine...I hope mine get up to that level in the Spring.

 

[billmac]

They get 15 hrs of light per day.