EGGS ALMOST NONEXISTENT

[Tinabuglaw]

So I had 5 laying hens originally (Red Sex-links). I would get 4-5 eggs every day, even through the winter. We added 7 more to the flock (3 red sex-links, 2 black sex-links and 3 white rocks) and there was a lot of fighting going on so we got a rooster who seemed to control all that. He was only 9 months at the time. We were getting about 9-10 eggs a day - two of the hens rarely produced, maybe because they were too young. When they did, the eggs were tiny.

Fast forward, the last 6 weeks or so, we have been getting between 2 and 6 eggs/day! I don't see any unusual activity, the only thing that changed is a chicken tractor was added with 6 pullets near the run. The hens can see them, but they are in two different spaces.

HEEEELP!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

I have had inconsistencies myself. I have considered the change in weather. Also wondering if molting is close. A couple trying to be broody. Could it be any of these major changes?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Most likely going into molt

 

[Tinabuglaw]

I would agree except it started in August and in the past, my hens laid all year round without breaks.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

How old are they? If they are about a year and a half I agree it is due to shorter days/molt. I frequently see it said they tend to lay through the winter their first year but slow down the second winter.

 

[21hens-incharge]

There are several things that can affect laying.

Molting, stress, excessive heat, mites, a change in diet, or a predator lurking around are my usual culprits.

For example last week we had a hawk hanging around on the power pole and production dropped by 50% as well as seeing body checked eggs.

 

[Tinabuglaw]

How old are they? If they are about a year and a half I agree it is due to shorter days/molt. I frequently see it said they tend to lay through the winter their first year but slow down the second winter.

Actually, they are two years old. We got them in September of 2021 and they were already laying eggs, I think they were a year old. At this point we've had them for exactly one year. So that makes them approximately 2 years old.

The second batch is supposed to be under a year. I'll probably raise my own chickens from chicks at this point. We have 6, 10 week old brahmas we raised from chicks. That way we know exactly their history and we don't have to worry about disease.

 

[Kaw-Liga]

Maybe keep an eye out for snakes?