FREELOADING HENS!

[TheBirdBabe]

I have some bantam chickens (Delawares & Barred Rocks) that are just about a year old. They started laying last year at the end of the summer & I was getting about half a dozen a day! During this winter I was getting one a day.

A few weeks ago I found a "secret nest" where some of the girls have been laying, there were 10 eggs! They got upset with me when I confiscated them & started laying elsewhere. Since then, I'm getting 2 or 3 a day.

My main question is, when is "peak season" for chickens to be laying? Also, how can I weed out the freeloaders?

Thanks, y'all!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have some bantam chickens (Delawares & Barred Rocks) that are just about a year old. They started laying last year at the end of the summer & I was getting about half a dozen a day! During this winter I was getting one a day.

A few weeks ago I found a "secret nest" where some of the girls have been laying, there were 10 eggs! They got upset with me when I confiscated them & started laying elsewhere. Since then, I'm getting 2 or 3 a day.

My main question is, when is "peak season" for chickens to be laying? Also, how can I weed out the freeloaders?

Thanks, y'all!

Sneaky hens! My ducks do that. I find eggs all over the place.

Peak season is spring - summer. Laying has a lot to do with daylight hours. Longer days = more eggs.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I have some bantam chickens (Delawares & Barred Rocks) that are just about a year old. They started laying last year at the end of the summer & I was getting about half a dozen a day! During this winter I was getting one a day.

A few weeks ago I found a "secret nest" where some of the girls have been laying, there were 10 eggs! They got upset with me when I confiscated them & started laying elsewhere. Since then, I'm getting 2 or 3 a day.

My main question is, when is "peak season" for chickens to be laying? Also, how can I weed out the freeloaders?

Thanks, y'all!

Have you checked pelvic spacing? With my Bantams, I have found they do take longer breaks but then they start laying a lot. So if I find the one isn't laying, a week from now she might start laying on a regular basis. My broody Bantams are a different story. It seems like they only lay to lay a clutch to sit on. They're lucky they're so adorable

 

[Aunt Angus]

Bantams are a different story. It seems like they only lay to lay a clutch to sit on. They're lucky they're so adorable

 

[aart]

A few weeks ago I found a "secret nest" where some of the girls have been laying, there were 10 eggs! They got upset with me when I confiscated them & started laying elsewhere. Since then, I'm getting 2 or 3 a day

Confine them to the coop and run fora week or so,
so they can't go find another 'hidden' spot to lay and will use the coop nests instead.

My main question is, when is "peak season" for chickens to be laying?

Spring, as the days get longer more will be laying.

Also, how can I weed out the freeloaders?

Have you checked pelvic spacing?

Yes, here's how to tell.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/