egg laying slowdown...need help

[kevinnini]

My flock of 5 used to give me 3-4 eggs a day steady. My Ancona went broody 3 mos ago and now is molting I think. My 2 EE's seem to have slowed down but I don't see to many of their feathers around...they were very steady layers. My Cuckoo still gives me an egg a day but my Speckled Sussex has just stopped. Behaviors are the same except for a bit more pecking. They eat organic laying pellets but we have been mixing a good amount of scratch into it per my gardener who says that it is good...I don't know about that and I'm stopping this now. They also get to free range in the yard for a few evening hours several times a week and when they don't, we give them some greens and tomatoes from the garden. I've also noticed that the egg whites have become watery.....any ideas?

BTW...that Ancona is a mean little *****! she jumps on the backs of the bigger hens and pulls at their neck feathers.

Thanks, Kevin

 

[Judy]

Most scratch is mostly corn which is "chicken candy." Check the label; you will probably find it has less protein than ration, plus there are no added vitamins and minerals. They usually love it, it comes in varying quality, it's handy to give a treat or teach them to come when you call -- but it's not necessary. Nothing but ration is actually necessary.

Of course, molting and going broody generally mean no eggs. Some will lay less in very hot or cold weather weather as well.

Here's a link, intended for commercial operations, that talks about a number of egg defects. As you can see, the section on watery whites isn't real helpful for backyard flocks. If it's hot where you are, maybe they will improve a bit with cooler weather.

 

[wastintime202]

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