Chickens Not Laying/ eating own eggs & Rooster tearing out feathers of hens

[pattypansmiles]

I've got problems!!!
So Ive had my same little 8 hen and 1 rooster flock for about 9 months. They were laying great- atleast 5 eggs/day. I made them a better coop ( they had been in a tractor all day- would roost at night and be out for an hour or 2 in the evening). I understand that the stress of switching coops may have caused some stress but yesterday when i checked for eggs there were none, also none the day before. I did find yolk in a nest box.....
I am going to add more hardware wire to the exterior of the barn so they have access to more space and sunlight....but WHAT ELSE? I guess i need to put a game cam in and see WHO is eating the eggs????
They do like to get eggshells out of the compost bin and eat those but their own eggs!?!?!
ALSO- my rooster is pulling out the feather of my girls when he mounts them. I got them saddles but WHAT ELSE? I dont want to cull him. he is a great protector and ensures everyone is well fed- which is really sweet....
first time chicken mama and i have 11 pullets so i really dont want to make any mistakes with this hens....and then bad habits with the pullets once they are combined.....

 

[Yardmom]

The reason your hens are taking egg shells out of the compost is that they need more calcium. Many, including my self, purposefully feed the shells back to the chickens. For some birds layer feed and egg shells are not enough, so oyster shells should also be fed. Adding the extra calcium may be all that is needed to keep them from eating eggs. If it is not then they probably need more of something else in their diet such as the extra protein that was mentioned.

 

[nuthatched]

What do you feed? How big is their new space? Try blowing out a few eggs and filling them with yellow dish soap and leave in the nest box.

 

[LaFleche]

I would rather use some roll-off nest boxes, there are lots of instruction on how to DIY.

Rooster pedicure will help to avoid feather loss and injuries: clip and file the tips of his claws and spurs round and leave them without sharp edges on the side.

 

[3KillerBs]

not closed in because of Avian Flu- they free range in the evening when i am home from work. Afraid of predators during the day....

How big is your coop?

If they feel crowded all day, a few hours of free range doesn't really adequately compensate.

the 16% protein Dumor layer pellets.

Layer pellet is designed to meet the needs of caged layers of production-strain birds for about a year of laying life. Many people here find that our birds do better on an 18-20% all flock type feed with oystershell on the side.

It's no guarantee, but many people have found that switching to a higher-protein feed reduces undesirable behaviors such as feather-picking and egg-eating.

 

[pattypansmiles]

How big is your coop?

If they feel crowded all day, a few hours of free range doesn't really adequately compensate.



Layer pellet is designed to meet the needs of caged layers of production-strain birds for about a year of laying life. Many people here find that our birds do better on an 18-20% all flock type feed with oystershell on the side.

It's no guarantee, but many people have found that switching to a higher-protein feed reduces undesirable behaviors such as feather-picking and egg-eating.

coop is BIG. not sure of dimensions. but MORE than enough space for them. and WAY bigger than old coop. only drawback. LESS sunshine.
tried to get 18/20 % our local tractor supply only had 16%.
I will try another Feed and Seed and see if i can find higher protein.

 

[aart]

What do you feed?

@pattypansmiles

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters and knowing your general location can help us provide better-targeted advice.

BUT before they were out in the run of their tractor all day and would roost at night. Now they dont have access to grass and bugs and lots of sunshine. I think they're mad.

"Mad" may not be the right word, but they are having their instincts frustrated and may be bored. Are they closed in because of the Avian Flu threat?

Photos of your setup?

 

[pattypansmiles]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters and knowing your general location can help us provide better-targeted advice.



"Mad" may not be the right word, but they are having their instincts frustrated and may be bored. Are they closed in because of the Avian Flu threat?

Photos of your setup?

oh- sorry- I am in Western NC. pastoral surrounded by woods.

 

[Yardmom]

The shells are hard....like dont break in my hands- or feel soft- ever.
Can i crush their shells and add back to them or is it better to buy oyster shell??

I personally just throw the shells in just as they are. Others crush and some even even bake. I also buy oyster shells so hens that need more can get it. The oysters last a long time when they are also getting egg shells.