Egg production drop?

[Chickenlover720]

So, I have 12 hens all just about 1 year old. I have two of each of the following breeds: Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, Easter Eggers, Salmon Favorelles, Silver Laced Wyandotte’s, and Sapphire Gems. I think that they are all laying now and last month I was getting about 5-7 per day the most I got in one day was 8. Now, it seems that this month they’ve been dropping in production. I’ve been getting more like 2-5 eggs per day.
Any ideas as to why the drop. It seems noticeable to me but I’m not sure if it’s something I should be concerned with.
They have not been free ranging recently so there’s no hidden places for them to lay. I’ve checked in there coop in any spots not super visible at a glance. They’re just now a year old so I don’t think they’re molting yet.
thanks in advance for any help.

 

[hysop]

So, I have 12 hens all just about 1 year old. I have two of each of the following breeds: Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, Easter Eggers, Salmon Favorelles, Silver Laced Wyandotte’s, and Sapphire Gems. I think that they are all laying now and last month I was getting about 5-7 per day the most I got in one day was 8. Now, it seems that this month they’ve been dropping in production. I’ve been getting more like 2-5 eggs per day.
Any ideas as to why the drop. It seems noticeable to me but I’m not sure if it’s something I should be concerned with.
They have not been free ranging recently so there’s no hidden places for them to lay. I’ve checked in there coop in any spots not super visible at a glance. They’re just now a year old so I don’t think they’re molting yet.
thanks in advance for any help.

There could be many reasons, but one I noticed with my flock recently was their water. I have a large bucket I fill to the rim and empty out and clean once a week or so. Well this time I forgot because I was so busy and started noticing a drop in egg production. They had water but I hadn’t emptied it out and washed the bin and given them fresh water. Their water was old. Just a few days after giving them fresh water they began laying normal. This may not be the reason with your flock but I figured I’d share mine.

 

[hysop]

What are they eating and how much? How much room do they have?

 

[Chickenlover720]

What are they eating and how much? How much room do they have?

I thought about the water and I do need to clean it a bit better but I actually just switched their waterer to a bigger one about two weeks ago. This was about the same time they started to drop in production. When I gave them the bigger waterer I even thought to myself that it would help their production but it seems to have done the opposite lol. It’s a different type of waterer that actually easier to drink out of. And they all seem to be using it fine.
they are eating a 16% protein layer pellets. They are probably getting about 5-6 cups of feed per day but I’m Not positive since I’ve not measured it out recently.
They are in a 12’x12’coop/run. A 4’x12’ area of it is covered and walled in with 6 nest boxes and ample roosting bar room. The run is uncovered and measures out to 8’x12’ we’ve been having mild weather here ranging from high 30s at night to low 60s in the day (varying day to day). It has been pretty wet and rainy.

 

[hysop]

I feed my chickens 3/4 cup of layer feed per chicken. If you have 12 chickens that should be more than 5-6 cups per day. Have you always fed them that much? I think as they grow and switch from growing to laying it’s different.

 

[Chickenlover720]

I feed my chickens 3/4 cup of layer feed per chicken. If you have 12 chickens that should be more than 5-6 cups per day. Have you always fed them that much? I think as they grow and switch from growing to laying it’s different.

I will try bumping up the feed. I did just measure and and it’s probably more like 7-8 cups a day but by what you’re saying I may still need to give them a bit more.

 

[hysop]

I will try bumping up the feed. I did just measure and and it’s probably more like 7-8 cups a day but by what you’re saying I may still need to give them a bit more.

You’re not too far off then. But yes, maybe upping their feed will help. They were probably getting the rest of their needed food with free ranging before but since you say they haven’t been free ranging recently then they need the extra food.

 

[aart]

I actually just switched their waterer to a bigger one about two weeks ago. This was about the same time they started to drop in production. When I gave them the bigger waterer I even thought to myself that it would help their production but it seems to have done the opposite lol. It’s a different type of waterer that actually easier to drink out of. And they all seem to be using it fine.

Any idea if they are drinking less?

I will try bumping up the feed. I did just measure and and it’s probably more like 7-8 cups a day but by what you’re saying I may still need to give them a bit more.

They should have access to feed every hour they are awake.
Every morning I put just enough to last for 24 hours, that can vary, and it helps me keep track of consumption.

They have not been free ranging recently so there’s no hidden places for them to lay.

Did this happen same time as egg drop? they may be stressed due to sudden confinement.

They are in a 12’x12’coop/run. A 4’x12’ area of it is covered and walled in with 6 nest boxes and ample roosting bar room.

Pics please?

 

[Chickenlover720]

Any idea if they are drinking less?

They should have access to feed every hour they are awake.
Every morning I put just enough to last for 24 hours, that can vary, and it helps me keep track of consumption.

Did this happen same time as egg drop? they may be stressed due to sudden confinement.

Pics please?

1. It doesn’t look like they’re drinking less. I’d even say they’ve been drinking more.
2. As of right now I don’t have a great set up to keep feed out all the time but I will try to keep more feed out there.
3. No, they were laying pretty well last month and they were getting free ranged the same amount then if not a little less.
4. Here’s some pics. It poured last night so sorry for the muddy mess. The roost bars are four feet wide.

 

[aart]

As of right now I don’t have a great set up to keep feed out all the time but I will try to keep more feed out there.

Not sure why......it's pretty important.