Chickens not laying

[Lady of McCamley]

My guess is that it is probably a combination of things.

Molting will reduce egg laying, and new layers are not as consistent at first...so that may be part (or a lot) of it. I just got done experiencing that with my 16 layers (got down to about 6 eggs a day...older molting, newer just coming into lay.)

I agree to think about deworming. If you are concerned about remaining with FDA/USDA sanctioned de-wormers for egg layers, and avoiding egg toss, I have had success with Rooster Booster Triple Action Multi Wormer. You can get it at Wilco stores. (Also google online).

It is not cheap, ($29.99 at Wilco for a container) but I liked the fact it was easy to use and I didn't have to toss eggs. One 1.25 container lasted my 16 hens 1 week of continuous feed, and I saw a distinct improvement in egg production. Just add to the feeder. (Mixture amount for small batches is on the top of the lid....I think it was about 1/2 c per 2 gallon feeder???)

I plan to do that every quarter. In between, I do a home mixture of ground fresh pumpkin seeds, cayenne pepper (enough to look rusty) and fresh garlic (enough to smell garlic) and Hoegger's Goat (and chicken) Wormer (which has wormwood). I give that once a month and see production improve as well. I've also seen production improve with the pumpkin seeds/cayenne/garlic too.

I don't know where you are in Oregon...I've lived in Southern, Eastern and now Northern, and I know that we can have a cool day and then a really warm day. Where I am, we've had a nice spell of warm after some cool, which can seem overly hot to the girls. Adding Vitamins and Electrolytes in the water can help relieve the stress of weather changes. I also keep Apple Cider Vinegar in the waterer to help with immune systems too. (Bragg's with the mother, only in plastic waterers)

My thoughts
Lady of McCamley

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...oh and you said you had some broody girls...yup that will do it.

My combination was some older ones molting, newer ones coming into laying (and not yet reliable), and 3 had gone broody...that took me down to 6 eggs a day from mostly my new hens out of 15 productive layers (before this, I was getting a dozen a day regularly).

I've had success with the cayenne/pumpkin seeds/garlic and vitamins/electrolytes to help them get through the molting process better and sustain them in broodiness to bounce back faster.

HTH
Lady of McCamley

 

[Shawnna R]

Lady of McCamley,

We are in Sweet Home--right on the ridge of the Cascade Mtn Range....mild weather, and love it here! After all the notes about broody girls, having layers that don't lay every day, and some of our "old girls", I'm seeing that my 10 eggs a day isn't too far off....as we only have 14 laying hens. I will certainly look into the product you suggested. I had no clue worming would mean I had to toss eggs...but certainly would have read the directions...but hate being wasteful.

Thanks for your insight...my daughter is going to love your suggestions...just as I did! I love all this insight from this page...thanks to all who have answered!

Now, research begins on broody girls..never had them before