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?

 

[Three Meadows]

No artifical light ever. Some molted but not all. I have 2 RIR that have bare red bellies and 1 Maran that is broody. We moved the hoop coop (see photo) to higher ground to keep it dry.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some possible reasons production is declining:

1. Are they molting? Although the "traditional" time for a molt is when the days are getting shorter in the fall, there are several different reasons some might molt now. Are you seeing loose feathers flying around?

2. A very common reason for you to think production has decrease is that they hide a nest. If yours have much of an area to forage in the nest could be really hard to find. They can be really good at hiding a nest in a coop or run.

3. Is something getting the eggs? Many critters leave traces like eggshell pieces or at least a wet spot. Some critters that take eggs whole are snakes, canine, and humans. If it is consistent it is probably not a snake. A snake eats eggs and then disappears for a few days while it digests them before coming back for more. Most canines would be more interested in your hens than the eggs but does a dog have access? A dog will eat eggs and not bother the hens. A human is usually not a stranger, especially if it is consistent. It could even be someone playing a sick practical joke.

No artifical light ever.

Looking at your photo, probably not. It does not have to be a light in the coop or even intentional. A security light or porch light could be to blame.

Some molted but not all.

I think this might be it. Some get over the molt in a month or so. Some take a few months. That is genetic, some molt faster than others.

We moved the hoop coop (see photo) to higher ground to keep it dry.

Changes like this can sometimes cause a temporary drop in egg production. It may even trigger a molt. But 4 week is a long time for a temporary drop. Not sure how the timing of the move and timing of decreased production work out. This might be part of it but I don't think it is a major cause. But your broody counts as one which only leaves two to be accounted for.

So what can you do? Look at the vents. If the vent is soft, pink, and moist they are laying at least occasionally or getting real close to laying. If the vent is dry and tight they are not laying. The difference is pretty obvious once you compare them.

Do yours get to free range during the day? I don't think so but I'll ask. If you lock them up for a few days and the number of eggs goes up they were either hiding a nest or you locked out an egg eater.

If they are contained in that hoop coop a close egg hunt may be called for.

It's been four weeks and the broody only counts for one of those eggs not being laid. Not sure how that timing works out.

It could be a lot of different things going on. From what you said none of them sound permanent but I don't know how long temporary will be.

Good luck! This kind of stuff can be really frustrating to figure out.

 

[Three Meadows]

Some possible reasons production is declining:

1. Are they molting? Although the "traditional" time for a molt is when the days are getting shorter in the fall, there are several different reasons some might molt now. Are you seeing loose feathers flying around?

2. A very common reason for you to think production has decrease is that they hide a nest. If yours have much of an area to forage in the nest could be really hard to find. They can be really good at hiding a nest in a coop or run.

3. Is something getting the eggs? Many critters leave traces like eggshell pieces or at least a wet spot. Some critters that take eggs whole are snakes, canine, and humans. If it is consistent it is probably not a snake. A snake eats eggs and then disappears for a few days while it digests them before coming back for more. Most canines would be more interested in your hens than the eggs but does a dog have access? A dog will eat eggs and not bother the hens. A human is usually not a stranger, especially if it is consistent. It could even be someone playing a sick practical joke.


Looking at your photo, probably not. It does not have to be a light in the coop or even intentional. A security light or porch light could be to blame.


I think this might be it. Some get over the molt in a month or so. Some take a few months. That is genetic, some molt faster than others.


Changes like this can sometimes cause a temporary drop in egg production. It may even trigger a molt. But 4 week is a long time for a temporary drop. Not sure how the timing of the move and timing of decreased production work out. This might be part of it but I don't think it is a major cause. But your broody counts as one which only leaves two to be accounted for.

So what can you do? Look at the vents. If the vent is soft, pink, and moist they are laying at least occasionally or getting real close to laying. If the vent is dry and tight they are not laying. The difference is pretty obvious once you compare them.

Do yours get to free range during the day? I don't think so but I'll ask. If you lock them up for a few days and the number of eggs goes up they were either hiding a nest or you locked out an egg eater.

If they are contained in that hoop coop a close egg hunt may be called for.

It's been four weeks and the broody only counts for one of those eggs not being laid. Not sure how that timing works out.

It could be a lot of different things going on. From what you said none of them sound permanent but I don't know how long temporary will be.

Good luck! This kind of stuff can be really frustrating to figure out.

Some possible reasons production is declining:

1. Are they molting? Although the "traditional" time for a molt is when the days are getting shorter in the fall, there are several different reasons some might molt now. Are you seeing loose feathers flying around?

2. A very common reason for you to think production has decrease is that they hide a nest. If yours have much of an area to forage in the nest could be really hard to find. They can be really good at hiding a nest in a coop or run.

3. Is something getting the eggs? Many critters leave traces like eggshell pieces or at least a wet spot. Some critters that take eggs whole are snakes, canine, and humans. If it is consistent it is probably not a snake. A snake eats eggs and then disappears for a few days while it digests them before coming back for more. Most canines would be more interested in your hens than the eggs but does a dog have access? A dog will eat eggs and not bother the hens. A human is usually not a stranger, especially if it is consistent. It could even be someone playing a sick practical joke.


Looking at your photo, probably not. It does not have to be a light in the coop or even intentional. A security light or porch light could be to blame.


I think this might be it. Some get over the molt in a month or so. Some take a few months. That is genetic, some molt faster than others.


Changes like this can sometimes cause a temporary drop in egg production. It may even trigger a molt. But 4 week is a long time for a temporary drop. Not sure how the timing of the move and timing of decreased production work out. This might be part of it but I don't think it is a major cause. But your broody counts as one which only leaves two to be accounted for.

So what can you do? Look at the vents. If the vent is soft, pink, and moist they are laying at least occasionally or getting real close to laying. If the vent is dry and tight they are not laying. The difference is pretty obvious once you compare them.

Do yours get to free range during the day? I don't think so but I'll ask. If you lock them up for a few days and the number of eggs goes up they were either hiding a nest or you locked out an egg eater.

If they are contained in that hoop coop a close egg hunt may be called for.

It's been four weeks and the broody only counts for one of those eggs not being laid. Not sure how that timing works out.

It could be a lot of different things going on. From what you said none of them sound permanent but I don't know how long temporary will be.

Good luck! This kind of stuff can be really frustrating to figure out.

I think you have answered my problem. When we moved them to higher ground, they were close to our yard lights and it was brighter in the coop than normal. Also, the distance we move them is usually 1 length and we had to move them quite a distance to get them to higher ground.

I just needed.to ask for help! My hens laid 5 eggs today instead of 3!