Chickens wont lay!! What am i doing wrong?!?!?

[misawaoliver]

I have some laying age Americauna hens (6) and a rooster. They live in a 12 foot by 12 foot by 6 foot tall pen. They have 7 nesting boxes and have layed in the past. NOTHING has changed and they stopped. I was getting 1 egg per day. I talked to some people and they said to feed them oyster shells. I feed them oyster shells, laying pellets, and scratch. I feel this is a smorgisborg when you add the table scraps. Clean water every day. Daily and nightly temps 95 degrees-75 degrees. It has been over a month now and they still arent producing. My wife says we will be eating fresh chicken if we arent eating eggs. I would rather have the eggs as much time as I have spent on these things. Going to try vinegar (apple cider) in thier water to make sure they are parasite free. Someone also told me to let them free range once or twice a month and that will change thier attitude toward laying. ANY suggestions, no matter how outlandish, would be appreciated.
Levi

 

[Katy]

Are they molting? Most hens quit laying when they molt since it's too hard on their bodies to grow new feathers and lay eggs at the same time. If you live where it's been terribly hot like I do that could also have made them stop laying. Taking a break from laying is their bodies way of getting some rest.

 

[trunkman]

I know the feeling, I'm fairly new to raising chickens, I bought 6 full grown hens in January and they layed 24 to 30 eggs a week then I purchased chicks and after introducing the chicks the hens slowed to 2 to 4 eggs a week, this was back in April, since then I lost three to heat and I'm only getting 3 eggs a week from the mature hen. Good news is that the pullets have started to lay and I get 2 eggs a day from them, thank god fresh eggs again!! My situation is different than yours and I don't have any advice for you but I know the feeling. Oh, welcome to backyard chickens!

 

[sunflowerenvy]

first stop giving scratch ,Scratch make the hen gain weight during the summer months. chicken do not like heat and they slow down or stop laying eggs in august due to the hot weather. give them veggies and fruit for treat you can give them scratch in the fall, winter, and spring.
that what i do.

 

[misawaoliver]

So much insight. Who knew this would be so technical. Over the last few months I have learned more about chickens than I know about myself.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help and yes it has been record heat here in central alabama with heat indexes in the 110's. That might have alot to do with it.

 

[vetgirl00us]

The old ones will tell you to put jalapenos in the water and feed a mash of green english peas.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

I live in Florida I was giving cracked corn to my girls till it went moldy and had to throw it out my bo hen was laying 5 eggs a week now she is giving me 6 .and 1 of my pullet are laying. I always thought corn was good for them. I guess not in the summer

 

[misawaoliver]

Ive also been told to give them cabbage. Something about it heating them up? They are plenty hot.