Chickens not laying

Pics
Date sort Score sort
RobJo

RobJo

In the Brooder
Joined
Mar 19, 2025
Messages
3
Reaction score
30
Points
29
Hi,
I have been rearing chickens in Melbourne, Australia for 14 years. My run is 20m2 and I let the chickens free range 1-2 each week. I have a flock of 6 chickens and every 2-3 years I introduce 7 new chickens raised from day old and gradually introduce into the flock. The current older chickens are - 4 at 2 years old and 2 at 3 years old. I introduced the yournger chickens into the run propper 5 weeks ago and noticed a 50% drop in egg production which has been maintained over the last 5 weeks and worsened to 80% reduction this week and no eggs today. The pullets have now started laying.

I try to ensure the chickens aren't stressed, I have lots of retreat spaces and mini 'rooms' for the young ones who are at the bottom of the pecking order and the chickens to explore. I have used the same 'Lucky layer' pellets for the last 12 months. I turn the run over with some free range seed for them to scratch through and I throw green weeds and food scraps in everyday, usually the afternoon. Over the 14 years I have never had a problem such as this where they go off the lay for so long. I am wondering what else I can do? Summer temperature over past 5 weeks on average has been 28 degrees with occassional 35 degree days. Love to hear thoughts from the chicken experts out there.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC as far as I know sounds like you’re doing good for them
B3851F1B-698F-4CE5-8894-6D616993985E.jpeg
 
RobJo said:
Hi,
I have been rearing chickens in Melbourne, Australia for 14 years. My run is 20m2 and I let the chickens free range 1-2 each week. I have a flock of 6 chickens and every 2-3 years I introduce 7 new chickens raised from day old and gradually introduce into the flock. The current older chickens are - 4 at 2 years old and 2 at 3 years old. I introduced the yournger chickens into the run propper 5 weeks ago and noticed a 50% drop in egg production which has been maintained over the last 5 weeks and worsened to 80% reduction this week and no eggs today. The pullets have now started laying.

I try to ensure the chickens aren't stressed, I have lots of retreat spaces and mini 'rooms' for the young ones who are at the bottom of the pecking order and the chickens to explore. I have used the same 'Lucky layer' pellets for the last 12 months. I turn the run over with some free range seed for them to scratch through and I throw green weeds and food scraps in everyday, usually the afternoon. Over the 14 years I have never had a problem such as this where they go off the lay for so long. I am wondering what else I can do? Summer temperature over past 5 weeks on average has been 28 degrees with occassional 35 degree days. Love to hear thoughts from the chicken experts out there.
Click to expand...
Welcome to byc.
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
They were stressed when you introduced the new group. And you don't have a large original flock. So that could be a contributing factor regardless that it's been 5 weeks. They just need to adjust. And you are coming into your molt season if I am not mistaken. That will also just make the older girls stop and they may not start again until spring.
 
Welcome to BYC.
Check the manufacturer date on your feed. If its over 4 months old they may not be getting the nutrition they need.
Check for signs of rats or snakes. They will steal eggs.
Check your hens' vents. If they are laying they will be pink and moist.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom