continued lack of eggs...

[aart]

There are no hidden nests.

Maybe, maybe not.
Just because you haven't found them, doesn't mean they are not out there.
You can't watch the birds every minute.

No infertility issues hens can develop/catch/inherit?

Of course there are.
Do your birds all roost in a coop?
Go out after dark and examine them:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then, maybe....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Nikuchan]

I had a couple of egg eaters- was always finding yolks, narrowed it down to my two danish brown leghorns, so I re-homed them to a lady who didn't feel it would be a problem. I dont have any more broken /eaten eggs, but am still not getting half of the eggs I should be.
So frustrating. Could it be they just dont like having a rooster?
Friends I have who get lots of eggs have no roosters.and they have sexlinks,

I don’t have a rooster.

 

[Nikuchan]

It's near fall, days are shortening exponentially.
Likely are not laying to prepare for molt and winter break.

Oh, well......then.
I'd guess there are hidden nests.......what happens if you free range.

But we don’t free range and have the same problem.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

There have to be other explanations. There are no hidden nests. I see my hens. They come out ..they eat grass and bugs.. then they dust bathe for a few hours under a tree and then they eat and roost outside in the shade, and laze about.
No infertility issues hens can develop/catch/inherit?

there seem to be quite a few reproductive disorders and issues hens can get, but I'm pretty sure most are fatal rather quickly

I go through this with my Pheonix flock. Totally 24/7 free range and the only time I ever sometimes find eggs are when they're hiding them in the barn to start a nest. Chickens are absolute geniuses sometimes about hiding eggs. We also have a EE that looking at our eggs in the house would say hadn't laid in months, but more than likely is and is just hiding her eggs now that she's not trapped in her coop

 

[aart]

But we don’t free range and have the same problem.

Well, I was addressing the OP questions.
Would be good if you start new thread and explain your situation.

 

[Minky]

Well I am really at a loss. My trail cameras tell me everything. I have 4 hens that regularly visit the nest box and they DO NOT EVER have an egg to show for it. Why would a hen sit for 2 hours in the nest and then leave no egg. ARGGGHH.
I know everyone thinks my hens are hiding eggs- but they aren't.
I guess lack of protein could be it.
black oil sunflower seeds = 14 % protein
Feed = 17% protein
Veggie scraps = practically 0 % protein LOL
Grass= see above
pullet feed =16% protein
Bugs = lots of protein (but how can I calculate how many bugs each hen eats??)

So if they need 18% they likely arent getting it.

 

[MarkJr]

Well I am really at a loss. My trail cameras tell me everything. I have 4 hens that regularly visit the nest box and they DO NOT EVER have an egg to show for it. Why would a hen sit for 2 hours in the nest and then leave no egg. ARGGGHH.
I know everyone thinks my hens are hiding eggs- but they aren't.
I guess lack of protein could be it.
black oil sunflower seeds = 14 % protein
Feed = 17% protein
Veggie scraps = practically 0 % protein LOL
Grass= see above
pullet feed =16% protein
Bugs = lots of protein (but how can I calculate how many bugs each hen eats??)

So if they need 18% they likely arent getting it.

Circle right back around to locking them up for a week with straight 16+ layer feed or all flock with calcium on side.

There’s been several ideas thrown out with an argument as to why it cannot be that specific thing. In order to figure out what IS there needs to be a controlled environment to definitively rule out everything.

If you won’t take suggestions, I wish you well in your egg laying adventures.

 

[aart]

Circle right back around to locking them up for a week with straight 16+ layer feed or all flock with calcium on side.

There’s been several ideas thrown out with an argument as to why it cannot be that specific thing. In order to figure out what IS there needs to be a controlled environment to definitively rule out everything.

If you won’t take suggestions, I wish you well in your egg laying adventures.

Exactly, Well Said!

 

[Minky]

Circle right back around to locking them up for a week with straight 16+ layer feed or all flock with calcium on side.

There’s been several ideas thrown out with an argument as to why it cannot be that specific thing. In order to figure out what IS there needs to be a controlled environment to definitively rule out everything.

If you won’t take suggestions, I wish you well in your egg laying adventures.

But they ARE being locked up!!?? Im not sure what you mean when you say I am not taking suggestions??- the only suggestions Ive received repeat things that I am already doing, or know that it is not (such as hiding eggs.). usually hens dont spend all day in their coop and then when they are let out to free run at 3 or 4 pm, go and run into the forest and hide them. Most of my hens dont even leave the barnyard most days.

 

[Minky]

Maybe, maybe not.
Just because you haven't found them, doesn't mean they are not out there.
You can't watch the birds every minute.


Of course there are.
Do your birds all roost in a coop?
Go out after dark and examine them:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then, maybe....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

who is laying and who isnt - this just tells me which hens are mature enough to have laid eggs- correct?? none of these hens are pullets. If a hen laid eggs in year 1, and now doesn't- this pelvic bone check wont tell me anything.