Decreased egg laying

[masanders]

Hi folks!

My six ISA Browns were laying six eggs a day for weeks. So much so that we had to give eggs away. Now I'm lucky to get two to four eggs a day (two today).

I don't see any evidence of predators, broken shells anywhere, or anything out of the ordinary.

They aren't molting and they have a constant supply of food and water.

Have my ladies unionized and are on strike? Any help/info would be appreciated!

 

[redsoxs]

I take it the decrease was gradual and not overnight? I'd suspect it's about length of day. For consistent laying they need 14 hours light a day. They'll still lay with less light but it will be more sporadic. My flock last winter had some days of 20 hens giving me zero eggs in late December and January. And then with the day's lengthening after winter, the production went right back up!

 

[masanders]

@redsoxs,

It has been gradual over about a month which makes sense with what you're saying.