Chicken Behavior

[3KillerBs]

I don't know if I can contribute anything significant.

I agree that 16% protein is a bit lower than many BYC people prefer to feed and that the treat foods seem rather abundant, but I would have thought that it would take longer than a month or 6 weeks for a nutritional imbalance to show up in noticeable effects.

How sure are you of which hen is laying which egg?

In re: investigating nest boxes and sitting in there, it seems that many POL pullets do like to put in some practice before they actually start laying.

 

[soccrmum]

I'm no expert on Chicken Behaviors, I might as @aart , @3KillerBs , @21hens-incharge @cmom if maybe they could weigh in.

To my (limited) knowledge, a chicken doesn't normally suddenly start laying small eggs after laying large ones. Yes, its normal for birds to lay a few smallish eggs as their plumbing works the kinks out, and then for egg size to grow in the first weeks to months of their initial laying year - but that's it. Not egg size that suddenly and visibly decreases.

And while I can (and have) linked to studies showing that average egg quantity (of lay), quality (contents), and size increase on a diminishing basis with crude protein intake, those amounts (while statistically measurable with high confidence) are so small the typical flock owner wouldn't notice. Certainly with regard egg size - you need calipers to measure the average difference. Sure, there's some variation w/i birds, but mine that normally lay md-lg sometimes lay a lg. and the XL sometimes lay a jumbo. But not that one of my Comets might suddenly start drooping md-lg eggs after having dropped XLs all year long.

I've no explanation. Wasn't aware it was possible. My Golden Comets still lay huge eggs, they passed 1 yr of age a few months back. My SLW still lay Md to Md-Lg. So do my Brahma.

As to the Marans (I've not owned one), they are famously broody. And their egg size, apart from a dark brown color, is highly variable. Any chance the eggs you are seeing are from her?

Oh, there's plenty of Calcium in that feed while I support the use of free choice oyster shell, and generally oppose the use of "layer" feed, a shortage of calcium isn't causing your Comet not to lay. If a lack of calcium was an issue, you'd much more likely note weak shelled eggs, and even "shell-less" eggs and a decline in your bird's condition before laying stopped.

I'd instead look for signs of early molting, and evidence of vent gleet or other signs of possible reproductive problems.

Then, if I thought it might be disease, I'd post pictures and summon Azygous Eggcessive or Wyorp Rock for additional assistance. Overo Mare is good on lots of these topics too.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Thank you so much @U_Stormcrow.

I might of stressed about my sexlink. She is laying a good size egg now. I think you are correct in maybe thinking that the small eggs came from my BCM. She is laying small eggs. I know that is normal for at least a month or two.

Thank you for the great info, I hope to learn a lot from BackYard Chickens.

 

[soccrmum]

I would not consider a chicken feed containing just 16% crude protein and listing cracked corn as their main ingredient an appropriate feed for laying hens.

16% crude protein does not mean that all of these 16% will be digestible and thus useful for the hens egg production abilities.

And corn as the main ingredient will make them develop fat pads real fast while still shoving the breast bones due to lack of protein.

Especially Marans will need a feed containing peas or soy beans to provide the necessary protein % of at least 18-20, and then barley and only some wheat.

Any specific brand of feed you recommend? I am new at this and would like to really give my girls a good adequate feed.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you so much @U_Stormcrow.

I might of stressed about my sexlink. She is laying a good size egg now. I think you are correct in maybe thinking that the small eggs came from my BCM. She is laying small eggs. I know that is normal for at least a month or two.

Thank you for the great info, I hope to learn a lot from BackYard Chickens.

BYC has been a huge help to me - I've only been at this 15 months or so. I hope you find it as enjoyable, educational, and supportive as I have.