Drastic dip in egg numbers, help!

[rachelwright]

My 5 chickens were averaging 32 eggs a week for the last 6 weeks. 3 weeks ago one of my girls went broody, so we separated her and a few days later she was fine and we put her back in with no problems. Since we took her out, the chickens have laid about 20 eggs per week. The only other variable is that it's been very warm, and if that's the problem I'm really
In trouble for the rest of the summer. Does anyone know what's going on?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Could be dozens of things. The broody would have removed 6 or 7 from your weekly total. She may not lay for a few more weeks. The removal and subsequent replacement of that hen could have disrupted things enough to slow things down a while.