dizease = no eggs?

[flockmarket]

hey guys,
so whats the probability that a dizease has gotten into the flock and kept my chickens from laying? i havn't had eggs for about half a year i believe. im starting to get angry. they look healthy, but i don't know what else it could be. it would just kill me to have to get rid of them.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
A disease would stop your girls from laying but so will stress, molting, lice, mites etc...have you looked into any of that on them?? How old are they?

 

[Noobchick]

Theres a permanent thread at the top of the Egglaying board that talks about all the various reasons why chickens don't lay. Might be helpful to you

 

[flockmarket]

i have some pullets, a young pullet or old chick, and some older hens.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
Have you looked for hidden nests? do they free range??? Every year I find 2-3 huge hidden nests in spots that are right under my nose-but would never think to look there!

 

[flockmarket]

i don't know, i mean i often look but can't find any, when i leave them up all day i still can't find any... maybe ill take one more look! i found a secret nest with like 20 eggs before, so maybe its worth a shot. ... hmm.

 

[welasharon]

Mine are all molting. They cut way back and/or stop while they do that. I have 12 hens. Today I got three eggs. Some days there are none.
Edited grammar....

 

[greycat]

Just a thought here..............
Do you have nesting boxes for them that is in a darkened area and off the floor?
are the nests large enough? I have 2 sizes but they seem to prefer the larger ones. usually there are up to 3 hens at a time on a single nest. I use 15 gallon squat nursery pots for nests with a small bit of straw in the bottom. They love to get down in them so they can "hide"
Hens do their best work in private

I have seen cases where chickens that dont have a semi dark private area to lay will sometimes just drop their eggs on the ground and they will immediately peck and eat them shell and all and wont leave a trace.

my chickens wont bother an egg if it is in the nest, but will instantly eat one that is not in the nest.

It's a terrible cycle to break if they ever get started eating eggs. Its like a shark feeding frenzie - they will fight over the eggs.

 

[flockmarket]

well i have a nice little nesting box i made the,. its elevated off the ground and really nice but i havn't seen the go in yet.. hmm. maybe they just need a really dark spot.