Egg laying stopped

[GregZulu]

Hi there,

We've owned our hens for nearly 3 years now and they have been excellent layers since they arrived. however for the past month or so egg laying has been extremely reduced. I am at university most of the time so my parents look after our small backyard flock. I've been home two weeks now and have only pulled one egg from our coop. We had one hen put down at the start of the year due to a spinal injury as she could no longer walk properly, possibly caused from old age. I want to know if my hens have just hit there natural slow in production due to age or if something more sinister is going on. We own a 'Black Rock' and 'Bluebell' hen. The bluebell layed the only egg since I've been back and has had a bald patch on her throat for over a month now, upon inspection the skin is not irritated in any way and have found no other signs of external parasites, Could this just be a late moult? on her back some feather appear darker as if they are newer. I've kept an eye on there "leavings" and there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary there either. Both are moving freely with good appetite and combs are in good colour.

Can anyone offer an explanation?

 

[aart]

Could be lots of things.
Do you free range?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
With only 2 birds(?) are their eggs unique enough to tell apart?
Older birds can slow down.
Not familiar with those breeds, are they high production hybrids?
If so, they are most likely to slow at 3yo.

Also....Welcome to BYC! @GregZulu
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[GregZulu]

Hi aart

We do let them free range in the garden for about an hour every other day, since I'm in the UK the weather here recently has been hotter than normal with minimal rain and plenty of natural sunlight and long days. We're feeding standard layers pellets from our local farm shop which has never changed, there diet is also supplemented by the occasional treat from leftover family meals and specific pecker blocks for poultry. Each of our hens do lay very different looking eggs, which is why I'm confused as to why the 'Black rock' our most often layer hasn't done so in the past few weeks. Made all the more confusing by their near frequent trips into the nest boxes only to emerge a out a few minutes later having done nothing.

Thank You aart for your welcome!

 

[aart]

Really hard to say....they do take breaks once in while.
Did they molt last fall?
Might do a butt check and overall exam.
As long as they are eating drinking pooping moving around OK, not much you can do.

 

[GregZulu]

Really hard to say....they do take breaks once in while.
Did they molt last fall?
Might do a butt check and overall exam.
As long as they are eating drinking pooping moving around OK, not much you can do.

Thanks for your help aart really appreciate it!