Egg production in hens 2nd and 3rd years?

[Minky]

I have a flock of 21.
2 are young hens (born last spring) and laying every day or almost every day.

The rest of my hens are 2 yrs old, and I'd say most of those hens average 2 eggs a week, or less.
Is this normal ? Do people refresh their flock each and every year?

This time last year I was getting 14-17 a day, now- 3-5 a day.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your best production is seen in your first and second season. The second year eggs tend to be a bit larger, but there are less of them. Many hens are considered spent by the third season. Most hens will continue to lay for 6-8 years, some longer at a decreased rate.

Those wanting chickens solely for egg production will turn over their flock every 2-3 years. Getting replacements yearly can help keep eggs coming.

It's a personal decision of flock management. I keep all my birds until they go or they need culling due to illness or injury. Others eat older hens because they don't have the room or want to feed non productive birds. You have to decide if your chickens are livestock, or pets, or something in between, and make your decisions based on that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I didn't really see noticeable drop in production with my older hens (4 yrs old) until this year. One seems to have stopped completely, the other two lay around 3 eggs a week each.

Because I plan on keeping my hens through retirement, I stagger the age of my flock so I can keep up production without having to get rid of birds or enlarge the set up again. I have 4-yr-olds, 2-yr-olds, and getting a few chicks soon.

 

[iwltfum]

It would depend on the breed I guess, but it seems to me like something's going on with your flock other than age. That is a significant decrease in egg laying. I would expect 3yo hens and younger to be producing eggs at 60% of the flock/day so of your 19 older hens, I would be searching for a problem if I wasn't getting at least 11+ eggs per day consistently if they are a decent egg laying breed.

 

[aart]

This time last year I was getting 14-17 a day, now- 3-5 a day.

It would depend on the breed I guess, but it seems to me like something's going on with your flock other than age.

My thoughts exactly.

Breed and free ranging could both account for the lack of eggs gathered.

 

[Minky]

Well, I think I discovered a couple of causes. I have an egg eater. Or two. Not sure how many..... but each day I find evidence of eaten eggs...and so I started hanging around the barn (because we were having lots of baby goats born) and found at least 2 hens hopping in nest boxes to snack!!

PLUS.. they hated the rooster. The very first day after I took Muklucks out, got 9 eggs. Next day 11.

Ive now got the egg eaters in with 25 four- weeks old chicks. hahahaha that is some good punishment.