Frustrated with Production for Months

[sunnysideohio]

Ok, I'm sorry, but I am frustrated.

To sum it up, we have 30 laying hens, and what should be the best production time of year we're averaging about 1 dozen per day.

Before my 11 new hens were of laying age (new in spring, laying by August), I had days of 14, 15, 16, 18 eggs. And that was before ANY of them were laying.

No signs of molting. Plenty of food. Plenty of water. No hidden nests, I've searched and searched.

Three new Olive Eggers... and less than ONE per day from those three on average!!! How is this even possible.

Honestly, what in the world?
Is one of them eating the eggs?
How would I know?

Just beyond frustrating to me.

 

[sunnysideohio]

This is on the heels of my earlier frustration in the summer, documented in this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/extremely-low-production.1671528/

 

[nuthatched]

What's their diet?
What are their ages?
What source are you basing your egg expectations on?

 

[The Moonshiner]

What's their diet?
What are their ages?
What source are you basing your egg expectations on?

And what breeds?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I wouldn’t call autumn peak laying season because there is less daylight. Spring, yes.

 

[FrostRanger]

In addition to the question the others posed, if it's been especially hot this summer that can negatively affect laying (most of mine stopped and they still aren't laying much due to molting and generally shorter days). They might not really pick back up until spring

 

[AshVau22]

One thing a about chickens they are masters at hiding nest. If they free roam then I'm sure some are laying elsewhere. I had a leghorn jump from the deck to the roof of the house and was laying eggs in the gutter that had Morning Glory growing on it. I just happen to be outside and heard the eggs song and see her jumping down. Got the ladder and sure enough big nest of eggs. I have about 33 hens and I get 12 to 15 a day now. Between molt starting, Broodys, Breed and Age I think I do pretty good. Spring time was around 22 day.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Besides the possibility of hens "laying out," could somebody be stealing/ eating your eggs?

Snakes?
Chipmunks/ squirrels?
Rats?

Maybe a camera in the coop could provide answers.

I just found out today that one of my own DOGS is my egg thief! But that's okay, I know how to fix it.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

...I just found out today that one of my own DOGS is my egg thief! But that's okay, I know how to fix it.

Is it mustard egg time?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is it mustard egg time?

Nope. I'll be setting up a tempting nest of eggs on the floor of the hen house - hot wired.