Chickens not laying,,,please help.

[flyercity]

Hi, we have eleven buff Orpingtons that are about 15 months old. They started laying last october and produced 6-8 eggs a day until about two months ago when they started to slow down to 2-3 eggs a day, now, 1 sometimes none. We feed Layena pellets, some cracked corn and some bread or veggies once in a while. They have two water sources at all times. They go about all day inside a animal wired pasture with two alpacas. Any thoughts?

 

[birdicus7]

Sometimes there is no explanation. They can die from heart attacks and such just as we do. Most conditions will show some sign that something is wrong...maybe they won't eat, they act lethargic or don't move, have injuries and such. I wish we could give you more. You are your best chicken doctor. No one knows your birds like you do, when you think something isn't right trust your instinct and find out what. Everyone here will help as much as possible but in this case without an actual necropsy you may never know. Watch the ones you have left for any signs of problems. Good luck and I wish you the best.

 

[flyercity]

Thank you, do you think too much cracked corn could be harmful?

 

[spook]

I recommend that you should open her up, do a necropsy if you can or even ask a friend to do it if you can't. Personally I don't believe the corn was the real issue if they all had it, they would all be dead. More then likely she may have been egg bound, internal egg layer, or another "natural" things that can take a birds life. Even kicked or stepped on by an alpaca. These things happen and try not to feel bad, even if it was something you "could have changed..." you cannot be there all the time, as I have found chickens don't like to be rolled in bubble wrap and swings ! (just kidding) I am very sorry to hear of your loss though.

 

[flyercity]

Should I put a heat lamp in the coop for these cold nights?

 

[Lesa]

There are as many opinions on heating a coop, as there are chicken owners! My vote is absolutely not- but others will differ... Sorry about your girl.

 

[flyercity]

Thank you, we love them.

 

[spook]

I'm up here in Maine, I feel that if you place a heat lamp in the coop, if or in my case, when, the power goes out, they are not prepared to survive. My girls go out each day, or the option, I feel it keeps them healthier. IMO.
Some heat, I hatched late chicks and they are in the house, also if I have a sick gal, I don't put heat on her, may place her in a smaller area so to generate her own heat, but the reason again, they will lose their warm down and come accustomed to warmth. Corn generates heat, the excess calories to keep their bodies warm. Nothing wrong with corn again, IMO.

 

[jjthink]

Birds vary in their tolerance to cold. My roo is heat tolerant but absolutely not cold tolerant. Never has been. My hen is the opposite, making it a challenge to keep them comfortable in the same location. Temps have been colder than normal in NJ this season and probably New England as well. I have ceramic heat lamps in the coop. My roo is around 9 (or at least 9) and is really struggling this time around. When I put them to bed tonight her legs were nice and warm and his were ice cold and he was puffed up. Not good. We're going down to the teens again tonight. It's supposed to remain teens and single digits at night for many many days to come. I'm really worried about him so I'm confining them to the coop roughly every other day lately (and all nights of course) so he gets a break from the worst cold as the heat lamps do help him. Important to observe one's birds closely for signs of comfort and discomfort. I hope we can break free from this lengthy frigid snap before too much longer but it looks like it's here straight through at least the next 10 days. The 10th day - the 26th - is still forecast to be below freezing for the high and well under half that for the low so my guess is there won't be recovery for some time.

I don't purposely provide extra hours of light because it makes a hen's body work hard at the time of year she would naturally be getting a rest from egglaying - wears them out sooner.

JJ

 

[MamaChic21]

I think it depends on the coops size and if it's insulated or not and how low temp does it get where you live ?