Drop in egg production

[Chicks Galore3]

I have 12 chickens who are just over a year old.
2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Silver Laced Wyandottes
2 Australorps
2 Easter Eggers
4 Gold Stars
I used to get 9-12 eggs a day, and now, I am getting 7, 8 if I am lucky! Today, they layed four. !!!!! Is it because they are older? I didn't think they'd stop this soon/fast. They are getting 16% layer crumbles/pellets. They get about 4-5 hours of free ranging time, and plenty of water. They're getting enough daylight hours, too. (14) I guess they could be hiding their eggs too, but I don't know. they used to be good about laying in the nesting boxes. (Or on top of the coop, whichever they prefer.

) Even when they had to be inside the whole day because it was rainy, I still only got 7 eggs. Do you think they're just stopping because they are getting older? Molting maybe?

 

[Rocky Road]

They are around the age that they would have their first molt. But you would know if they're molting because they will have bald patches usually starting on their face/neck areas. You could also have an egg eater on your hands. they eat shell and all so its hard to find out unless you catch them doing it. I have a few hens that some days eat eggs and not others. You can add some oystershell or limestone to their diet and that may help. Also I've heard that adding some cayenne pepper to their feed will get them laying again. Good Luck!

 

[Cindy in PA]

Chickens shouldn't molt until about a year after they start laying, so around 18 months. If they are just over a year it's seems a little early.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

They turned 1 year April 3rd. But that doesn't matter anymore because I caught them eating eggs. :/ I have an idea on who STARTED but when they heard her crack the egg and start eating, they all came a runnin'. Oh boy. They ARE pulling through a time where there were two bullies, so everybody had significant feather loss, so they might be craving more protien/calcium for feather growth. I will add some Oyster shell to their diet, anything else I can do to stop it? (They like mustard, and birds can't detect spiciness) I will collect eggs as often as possible, I homeschool so I can go out whenever.

 

[Rocky Road]

Look up some recipes for homemade flock block and adding some oystershell or crushed eggshells to it. I've found that if you give them something to occupy them with it gets a bit better. Also I found if they happen to run out of water that was also a big trigger so make sure they always have plenty! Good luck!