Egg production dropped even with supplemental lighting-why?

[FarmerGirl101]

I would say; let the chickens have their well-deserved break/rest. They aren't machines and if you were wanting eggs. Get Leghorns! They lay year round without light although they can be unreliable in the winter. I understand that you need to sell the eggs. There isn't really other explanations besides that it is winter and chickens stop laying then. They need about 1 month-2 months rest before they lay again. If I were you and I wanted efficiency, I would let them rest in the winter so that way they lay for more years. Right now, you are making them force lay in the winter which is not good as they need a break once a year. In the end, chickens are not machines and they need their yearly break.

 

[Acre4Me]

I would say; let the chickens have their well-deserved break/rest. They aren't machines and if you were wanting eggs. Get Leghorns! They lay year round without light although they can be unreliable in the winter. I understand that you need to sell the eggs. There isn't really other explanations besides that it is winter and chickens stop laying then. They need about 1 month-2 months rest before they lay again. If I were you and I wanted efficiency, I would let them rest in the winter so that way they lay for more years. Right now, you are making them force lay in the winter which is not good as they need a break once a year. In the end, chickens are not machines and they need their yearly break.

I’ve seen other posts on BYC that show this is not the case. Chickens naturally take a break with a molt. Proper nutrition is what is most important.

Besides, chickens at/near equator and in areas of pretty constant hours of light don’t get that winter break, only a break at molt. It’s not detrimental health wise for them to lay through winter if given proper nutrition. And as far as we’ve been told, the OP is providing proper nutrition.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I’ve seen other posts on BYC that show this is not the case. Chickens naturally take a break with a molt. Proper nutrition is what is most important.

Besides, chickens at/near equator and in areas of pretty constant hours of light don’t get that winter break, only a break at molt. It’s not detrimental health wise for them to lay through winter if given proper nutrition. And as far as we’ve been told, the OP is providing proper nutrition.

True. But I find that keeping chickens laying 24/7 isn't good for their health

 

[PouleChick]

Since then, I've gotten 10-12 eggs every day from them. It's only in the past 3 weeks that it has gone down. They aren't molting, and nothing's changed except a couple snow events (and not much at that-only a couple inches and only lasted for a day til it rained and melted off).

Logically, if they have 14 hours they should be laying as though it were springtime and long days. Yet production still dropped a little, which means I need to examine what I'm doing because it's a change and I want to make sure that the change isn't a sign of something more serious.

Your egg rates are still pretty good tbh, I think even with your extra light that there will be a natural slowing of production and we are just past the solstice so if it is going to happen now is the time. Obviously all the suggestions about food / hydration etc are relevant but sounds to me it is just them doing thier natural thing. I've already had to change my 'put the chickens to bed' alarm forward 10 minutes so hopefully nature will start giving them a hand with longer, brighter days (I agree with the others, my lowest egg days are the ones where it is very grey so maybe with the snow etc that has come into play). I hope they get back to normal soon for you.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

 

[Acre4Me]

True. But I find that keeping chickens laying 24/7 isn't good for their health

I think you mean 365, rather than 24/7. It’s my understanding that an egg generally takes 25 or 26 hours to go through the egg pipeline anyway. But, certain production breeds do lay everyday with only an occasional skipped day.

But then again, due to molt a bird can’t be made to produce 24/7 or 365...unless they molt late.

Take my 10 month old birds. They will molt this year... not sure when. But if they molt after June 2, then there will be just a few of mine that will have laid for a whole year before molt. Time will tell. I have heritage breeds though, so I’m not getting 1/day/bird anyway. In fact my flock average egg/week/female bird would look bad since I have two 10 month olds who haven’t laid a single egg! Oh well, I’m sure they will eventually as they are healthy.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I think you mean 365, rather than 24/7. It’s my understanding that an egg generally takes 25 or 26 hours to go through the egg pipeline anyway. But, certain production breeds do lay everyday with only an occasional skipped day.

But then again, due to molt a bird can’t be made to produce 24/7 or 365...unless they molt late.

Take my 10 month old birds. They will molt this year... not sure when. But if they molt after June 2, then there will be just a few of mine that will have laid for a whole year before molt. Time will tell. I have heritage breeds though, so I’m not getting 1/day/bird anyway. In fact my flock average egg/week/female bird would look bad since I have two 10 month olds who haven’t laid a single egg! Oh well, I’m sure they will eventually as they are healthy.

I meant 365. whoops

 

[tweetzone86]

Maybe some are starting to molt? Are their combs still red?

Yes their combs and wattles are still as red as ever.

 

[tweetzone86]

They are young pullets, not so likely to molt yet.

Check for mites/lice? They can pick this up from wild birds visiting coop/run, feeder. Ours had lice (from wild birds), we sprayed with permethrin -the coop and the birds, but it was earlier/warmer out.

We have supplemental light for 15 hours/day. It’s been said 14 hours is minimum, so if you have it on a timer, bump it up an extra 15 min, or 30 min (whatever timer increment is).

I’ve noticed our pullets (10 months old) have some low production days this winter. But, we have heritage breeds, so best I expect is 6/week/bird, but in winter seems more like 4-5/ week/bird.

Good feeding them higher protein. Make sure they are drinking enough water. If anything affects egg production, water consumption/availability is high on that list.

I spray the coop every time I change out bedding for mite spray. I might bump the light if need be. 6 a week is still 72, not 65. I will continue to check their water and such and see what happens.

 

[tweetzone86]

I’ve seen other posts on BYC that show this is not the case. Chickens naturally take a break with a molt. Proper nutrition is what is most important.

Besides, chickens at/near equator and in areas of pretty constant hours of light don’t get that winter break, only a break at molt. It’s not detrimental health wise for them to lay through winter if given proper nutrition. And as far as we’ve been told, the OP is providing proper nutrition.

Not molting that I know for sure. They were hatched May 8, 2018, so they are only seven months old.