Egg production

[Three Meadows]

I have 12 hens that were laying 6-7 eggs all winter. In the last 4 weeks they have been gradually decreasing the number of eggs and I'm down to 3-4 a day now. Last year at this time, I was getting 9-10. I have checked for mites, I have increased protein, I only have 1 broody hen. What am I missing? Also, I have no roosters, and the eggs I cracked this morning both had the little white spot that looks identical to a fertilized egg. Please advise.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Egg production tends to decrease as the season progresses. Hens will peak at 2 years for production, but some are already laying less by that age. As the heat of summer sets in it also will cause a decrease in production, and many hens may take a break.

As for the egg looking fertile sometimes it can be hard to tell as some non fertile eggs look to have the ring around the disk.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they laid through last winter did they molt anytime before or right after? Did you use artificial lighting to keep them laying?