Fermentation and laying

[Marleigh33]

We started fermenting our chickens about a week or so ago. I’ve noticed that our chickens aren’t laying like they were. They’re all healthy and no other issues but they have quit laying. We’re lucky to get 1 a day where as we were getting 2-3 a day. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. My boyfriend swears it’s not from fermenting, but I’m not 100% convinced on this.

 

[All4Eggz]

We started fermenting our chickens about a week or so ago. I’ve noticed that our chickens aren’t laying like they were. They’re all healthy and no other issues but they have quit laying. We’re lucky to get 1 a day where as we were getting 2-3 a day. Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else. My boyfriend swears it’s not from fermenting, but I’m not 100% convinced on this.

It is likely not because of the fermenting.

There can be many reasons associated with a slower egg production:
- You may be feeding them too little or too much
- They may be in the middle of or getting ready to molt, which is taking all the energy to grow new feathers instead of producing eggs
- They may not be getting essential minerals, like calcium, and it has finally caught up with them

There are many more, but I think those are the most likely.

 

[kerbotx]

Also, if you're in the US, it's been really hot lately, and that has an impact on laying. It's not the fermenting, unless you really are 'fermenting the chickens' like you wrote...

 

[wamtazlady]

This time of year I would suspect the chickens might be getting ready to molt. I have also noticed a slight decline in the number of eggs. The count has gone from 5 to 6 a day down to 4. It's not a lot but noticeable. Also the days are getting shorter. They lay best with 14 hours of daylight.

 

[Al Gerhart]

All good advice but the feed bulks up when soaked and the hens cannot get enough feed through their system to match what a proper diet of pellets or crumble gives them. The food might be more palatable but the nutrient content isn't changing other than some starches changing to sugars maybe. A laying hen's egg limit is mostly about her ability to process enough protein each day.

 

[kerbotx]

All good advice but the feed bulks up when soaked and the hens cannot get enough feed through their system to match what a proper diet of pellets or crumble gives them. The food might be more palatable but the nutrient content isn't changing other than some starches changing to sugars maybe. A laying hen's egg limit is mostly about her ability to process enough protein each day.

I don't think your arguement for this is sound. There's no bulk to fermented feed; it soaks for 3 days, usually with an excess of water, so that it breaks down. Even with soaked food that swells with water - they're still going to eat a little, poop & pee a little, then eat some more. I don't have any hard numbers, but I think most people who give ferment/wet mash also have pellets/crumble feed available 24/7 so the birds are going to get plenty enough to eat. And don't discount the importance of WATER - chickens don't like hot water, so cool water is essential in summer for everything else to work properly.