Egg Laying HELP??

[AngelaRSparks]

I have recently acquired 9 chickens and 1 rooster. When they first arrived a month ago they were all laying but now they have all stopped. They appear to be healthy and we do feed them laying pellets. What could be the problem?

 

[Wezdin]

Have they had any feather loss? they may be molting. Have you checked for a hidden nest? I thought mine had slowed down laying but then i found 30 eggs under the coop!
How old are your hens? after most breeds hit 2.5 years of age they will really slow down laying.

 

[MandaH]

They will also stop laying temporarily under times of stress, of which changing to a new farm can cause a bit of stress for a short time period. What type of laying feed are you giving them?

 

[PirateGirl]

Change in food can cause them to go on strike for a bit too sometimes.

You said when they arrived they were all laying, how long did they lay when they moved to your place before they quit?

 

[AngelaRSparks]

Have they had any feather loss? they may be molting. Have you checked for a hidden nest? I thought mine had slowed down laying but then i found 30 eggs under the coop!
How old are your hens? after most breeds hit 2.5 years of age they will really slow down laying.

3 Are missing some feathers, no hidden nest and I'm not sure of their age. They were given to me.

 

[AngelaRSparks]

Change in food can cause them to go on strike for a bit too sometimes.

You said when they arrived they were all laying, how long did they lay when they moved to your place before they quit?

2 weeks. I think we feed the same food the previous owner did.

 

[AngelaRSparks]

They will also stop laying temporarily under times of stress, of which changing to a new farm can cause a bit of stress for a short time period. What type of laying feed are you giving them?

They were laying up until 2 weeks ago, wouldn't they be adjusted by now? Not sure the brand of laying pellets. They have went from being free ranging to in a run, could that be the problem?

 

[Wezdin]

3 Are missing some feathers, no hidden nest and I'm not sure of their age. They were given to me.

Then i am thinking they are going through a molt. Nothing to worry about, egg production will be down for a bit.

 

[AngelaRSparks]

Then i am thinking they are going through a molt. Nothing to worry about, egg production will be down for a bit.

Thank you so much.

 

[aart]

It's a bit early in the year for a molt....tho stress might cause one.
If you see a bunch of feathers lying about, look for new pin feathers coming in

I think we feed the same food the previous owner did.

But are you sure it's the same feed...and what about any 'extras'?
Might ask for the details, if you can.

Do you free range?
They may be laying out in range area.
Do an exam, looking for bugs and pelvic spacing.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).