From 7 eggs a week to 3.

[SarahMonique]

My 7 month old Isa Brown started laying early December. She would lay daily at first, maybe skipping 1 day a week. She lost her closest chicken sister a fortnight ago and since then I’m lucky to get a egg ever 3rd day. I’ve also recently changed from layer pellets to a mixed poultry grain from a local supplier could that have anything to do with her production? Should I change back? She free ranges my backyard with two other younger pullets and they get whatever scraps I have.

 

[Huntergatherr]

We have 1 very spoiled hen Sumatra who we keep at our home, but sometimes I will take her to the farm down the street with her flock during the day or over night if I am staying, and she didn't lay eggs until (everyone else did December 5th or 6th) over Xmas when she was with the flock and now lays regularly whereever she is.

 

[theoldchick]

Change her back to her previous diet and see if her egg production improves. Chickens are individuals and a decrease in egg production is to be expected. Sorry for the loss of the other chicken.

 

[JedJackson]

My 7 month old Isa Brown started laying early December. She would lay daily at first, maybe skipping 1 day a week. She lost her closest chicken sister a fortnight ago and since then I’m lucky to get a egg ever 3rd day. I’ve also recently changed from layer pellets to a mixed poultry grain from a local supplier could that have anything to do with her production? Should I change back? She free ranges my backyard with two other younger pullets and they get whatever scraps I have.

It could be a lot of things but the change in feed is at the top of the list. Layer pellets are formulated to give hens just what they need to lay well- the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. Does the new feed have that? It should be at 16% protein at the very least, it should have all of the vitamins and minerals that layer feed has, and it especially needs to have calcium if you don't put out crushed oyster shell for them.

The trauma of losing her sister and changes in the weather could also be factors, but I would look at the feed first.

 

[speckledhen]

Mixed grains rarely have enough protein unless they have some pelleted adjunct in the mix. My cock conditioner I feed as scratch has 13 grains and 16% protein, but the protein comes mainly from a pellet in the mix that has porcine animal protein in it. But, their main feed is a 22% layer pellet from Tucker Milling and that is all that is in their feeders, not the grain mix.

As JedJackson said, a traumatic change/event can stop laying, be it predator attack or weather swings. As my sig line says, hens are not vending machines, but animals subject to stresses and internal issues that affect production.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Is it just mixed grain or a mixed grain chicken feed mash with minerals & calcium? Could be either from your description.

 

[SarahMonique]

Thanks everyone. It was meant to be a layer mix grain but I feel it’s the biggest reason after reading all your comments so will go today and get the pellets again. Her sister was attached by a wild bird that was after their feed. She was the Queen B and was defending the others. We are from QLD so the heat & humidity might be upsetting her but there isn’t much I can do about the weather until May when it cools off a bit. I do all I can to keep them cool with ice, frozen treats & plenty of shade. I definitely don’t think she is a vending machine, it’s just quite a change in her so wanted to get on top of it especially if it’s what I’m feeding her causing the difference.

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks everyone. It was meant to be a layer mix grain but I feel it’s the biggest reason after reading all your comments so will go today and get the pellets again. Her sister was attached by a wild bird that was after their feed. She was the Queen B and was defending the others. We are from QLD so the heat & humidity might be upsetting her but there isn’t much I can do about the weather until May when it cools off a bit. I do all I can to keep them cool with ice, frozen treats & plenty of shade. I definitely don’t think she is a vending machine, it’s just quite a change in her so wanted to get on top of it especially if it’s what I’m feeding her causing the difference.

I'm betting it's the heat plus the upset in the coop with the loss of her friend, then. And let us know if she starts up again if you change back to the pelleted feed, too. Best of luck to you!