chickens wont lay eggs

[junebuggena]

It take up to a month to start laying again. Pullets will usually continue to lay through their first winter, but production can be affected by the shorter daylight hours. They may slow down, but they likely won't stop completely, like a mature hen would.

 

[sunnypj]

HI, wish I could help you on this one... no one was able to help me on the original post I placed. I have 2 hens that I call "slackers" These were both given to me in May and one has never laid an egg for me although the people who gave her to me swear she always did. The other one laid an egg a day very regularly until August and she hasn't laid one since. So almost 2 months now and nothing. very frustrating because they are both healthy and act normal. Not molting that I can tell so I don't know if they are just old hens and won't produce any longer or what the situation is. The hen that was laying just stopped cold. They are eating layer feed as well.

If anyone does have some advise, would love to hear it.

thanks

 

[junebuggena]

Layer feed is for actively laying hens only. It's usually about 16% protein, so if they free range or get lots of treats, then they might not be getting enough protein to produce eggs. Egg whites are mostly protein, and it has to come from somewhere.

 

[sunnypj]

HI, Thanks for the reply. Since my two hens were laying eggs... one before I got her and the other was laying all along and then stopped... I figured she should be eating layer feed since she was actively laying. They only free range about an hour a day and not many treats either. If I give treats it is usually something with a bit more protein in it because I was concerned that might have been a problem. So what do you suggest for these two "slackers" that are not laying now? I have a 5 month old hen that I am hoping will start laying soon so I really want to make sure it is nothing that I am doing wrong that is keeping them from laying.

thanks

 

[junebuggena]

Do you know how old they are? And what breed?

 

[sunnypj]

I am pretty sure one is an Easter Egger and the other is a Red Sex Link. No idea on the age but am guessing 1-2 years old since the people who had them prior only had chickens for about 1 year so they acquired them already laying.

I am wondering if maybe the feed that I have isn't really as balanced as it states. It says Layer feed 16% with added calcium. I checked the label and it does state 16% protein. Once in a while I have to use bread crumbs to get them back in their run after they have been out free ranging for a while but because I have dogs they don't get out more than an hour. Do you think the bread crumbs might be causing the problem?

 

[junebuggena]

The bread crumbs aren't a problem unless you are giving them over a half a cup daily. They are probably over 2 years old. Red sexlinks tend to be spent by the time they reach 2 and half to three years old. Easter Eggers can be very sporadic and inconsistent layers. I have one that lays just about everyday, and one that lays for a few weeks and then takes two months off. Since they are probably older, you may want to switch to a grower, all flock, or flock raiser type feed to protect their kidneys from calcium build up. The increased protein content might also help them to start producing again. Have crushed oyster shell available in case they need it.

 

[sunnypj]

Thanks for the info. I will switch over after I get a bag of all flock. I have a bag of hatch to hen but it is medicated. I have 8 little ones in another pen that I feed that to.
If it is a matter of the hens needing more protein, how soon do you think I will see results? My concern is that I also have a 5 month old hen in the same run with these two "slackers" and the youngest one is the last one to eat bottom of the pecking order so I want to make sure she is getting everything she needs.

thanks for sharing your knowledge, this is new to me.

 

[junebuggena]

I'd say if it's a nutrition problem, they may start laying in a month or so, or they might not start laying again until mid February, when spring is on the way. Fall/winter is typically a time of year when older hens slow down or stop producing, all together. It's because of the shorter days, and reduced exposure to sunlight.

 

[sunnypj]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully that is all it is. So strange that the one hen just suddenly stopped from laying one a day. I figured if it was age she would maybe slow down and then stop.

The Easter egger? who knows on that one.. she hasn't ever laid one for me but she may be older. Not a good start when I was given two hens, one of which didn't produce anything, and also a rooster that was beat up and mean and ended up having to be put down. I sure hope the next round of chicks turns out better than what I inherited.

I really appreciate your feedback, thanks again.