this came from another forum i go on. and because people keep asking why their hens stop laying. I believe its worth posting. here ya go "I worked in poultry for 21 yrs (egg layers) and I have had Chickens all my life here are some of the things that might help you
Any of these can cause loss Of egg production
1-parasites
2-worms
3-lack of water(allways keep fresh water to fowl)
4-not feeding enough (most layer pellets are 15,16,20,22% protien I use 22% layer pellets mixed with A 14% maintance feed mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with oyster shell added 50 pounds mixed With Every 400 Pounds Of Feed
5-hen eating eggs
6-varmets, snakes and rats are 2 that will break up A nest of eggs
7-age, as with everything age is A factor one to young will not lay while one to old will also not lay
8-health, allways breed from healthy broodfowl.The health of the hen with everything mentioned above will determine how long your hen will lay.
9-weather,weather being either to hot or to cold
10-light,16 Hrs is right on poultry lights on at 5 am off at 7.30 am
on again at 6.45 pm off At 9.00 pm where I live lights are only important in Jan And Feb when March gets here daylight Hrs have gotten longer and the weather better I get all the eggs I need in March And April with out lights
Any of these can cause loss Of egg production
1-parasites
2-worms
3-lack of water(allways keep fresh water to fowl)
4-not feeding enough (most layer pellets are 15,16,20,22% protien I use 22% layer pellets mixed with A 14% maintance feed mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with oyster shell added 50 pounds mixed With Every 400 Pounds Of Feed
5-hen eating eggs
6-varmets, snakes and rats are 2 that will break up A nest of eggs
7-age, as with everything age is A factor one to young will not lay while one to old will also not lay
8-health, allways breed from healthy broodfowl.The health of the hen with everything mentioned above will determine how long your hen will lay.
9-weather,weather being either to hot or to cold
10-light,16 Hrs is right on poultry lights on at 5 am off at 7.30 am
on again at 6.45 pm off At 9.00 pm where I live lights are only important in Jan And Feb when March gets here daylight Hrs have gotten longer and the weather better I get all the eggs I need in March And April with out lights
