Egg laying

[Jefe]

i have some girls that are almost 2 now and the egg production has fallen way off from what it was in the first part of the year. Wanted to know if high temps play a part in that or if the girls are at the end of their egg laying abilities?

 

[Chicken_Guru]

i have some girls that are almost 2 now and the egg production has fallen way off from what it was in the first part of the year. Wanted to know if high temps play a part in that or if the girls are at the end of their egg laying abilities?

The chickens lay best I'd say in 65 to 80 degrees the best, anything below or over that, will decrease egg production a bit.

 

[Cindy in PA]

If they are almost 2 they could be molting.

 

[Jefe]

If they are almost 2 they could be molting.

What is molting for a chicken, do they then start laying again or is that the end of their production?

 

[Jefe]

The chickens lay best I'd say in 65 to 80 degrees the best, anything below or over that, will decrease egg production a bit.

I am in northern Cal and it has been in the 90s to about 104 for some time now, was thinking that may have been stressing them.

 

[lilapot]

Molting is when the birds lose their feathers, like how a dog sheds. They use the energy and nutrients to molt and regrow feathers so they can't lay eggs. It doesn't mean the end of their laying though, when the feathers grow back, they will return the laying eggs. Unfortunately, this might take a while. Months, even.

 

[Jefe]

Molting is when the birds lose their feathers, like how a dog sheds. They use the energy and nutrients to molt and regrow feathers so they can't lay eggs. It doesn't mean the end of their laying though, when the feathers grow back, they will return the laying eggs. Unfortunately, this might take a while. Months, even.

Haven't noticed any feather loss with the exception of one hen and she pulls head and neck feathers every summer as it starts to get hot, she is an Americana but look like a turkey vulture

 

[lilapot]

Hmm. I am not sure what might be going on. It is possible they are going through very minimal molting.

 

[Chicken_Guru]

I am in northern Cal and it has been in the 90s to about 104 for some time now, was thinking that may have been stressing them.

You live in No Cal too? Nice! I live in Antioch, and my chickens only lay for at most 6 months, because they CANNOT lay in cold weather or hot weather. Right now it is 110 degrees out and my chickens aren't drinking water, hope it's not that they're sick.