egg production way down!

[chkinut]

i have 12 hens (6 that are JUST beginning to lay eggs...so they don't really count) and we havent had eggs for the past couple months....until 2 days ago, 2 started laying (one new hen, and one older). usually when my girls molt they don't look that bad. sometimes it's hard for me to tell if they're molting...but i can usually tell by some feathers layin around and their faces, combs, and wattles arn't bright red anymore....just a pale kinda look. i read in my latest poultry magazine...some tricks to help them lay during these times. one was light (what ur doing) and another was Cod Liver Oil. to spread some in a thin line over their food. my girls have a circular 5lb chicken feeder and i got some and poured it out in a thin line, about the width of a pencil, all around the circumference of the feeder (in the part where they actually eat the food). then i kinda stirred it around with my finger and they really like it. i don't know if it's just coincidence as to why 2 of them started laying?

but at least 2 are laying now!

i bought some at walmart in the vitamins isle.

 

[cmom]

I don't know if it's the weather and temperature where I live (northern central Florida) but my girls lay very well. I do keep a 7 watt light in their coops 24/7.

 

[TeriS]

Thanks for all the ideas! My 2 that are of laying age are around 2 years old (Or a little more) actually- I just thought that they would continue to lay like they always had. I have 10 more also, but they are only 19 weeks old, so I'm just waiting for them to begin laying. I guess that I had heard that as long as they had a good diet and light they would keep producing. Wow- guess I'll just have a couple pets now that ocassionally give me an egg, but just continue to eat

 

[stormylady]

Quote:
Sounds like it, and tis the season for that ya know!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
From late fall through early winter, the older hen normally moults and takes a couple months off to re-boot. BYC is filled this time of year with folks who are caught off guard by these realities. This is precisely why first year pullets, hatched the previous spring, are always introduced, each and every year, to flocks where egg production is required.

This is also why many flock keepers, who have an economic element, who must have consistent egg production, are also constantly selecting older hens, hens 2 or 3 year years old for removal from the flock to make room for the younger pullets.

 

[chkinut]

i can understand that concept. if we lived out in the country that's what we would be doing...except for the occasional pet. i'm finding with chickens (unless you do what Fred's Hens was saying) it's either feast or famine with these girls. i'm just THRILLED that i've got 6 eggs to fry up for my hubby and son this weekend! we get to have a "real" breakfast....FINALLY!