getting old hens to lay more eggs

[centrarchid]

Are there any tricks to getting old hens to lay more eggs?

I have two dominique hens, one is five years and other maybe as old as 8 years. The old hen gives me an egg every other day while the younger gives one every third day. Both are covered by rooster at least once every three days.

 

[Beekissed]

I think thats pretty good considering their ages! This time of year isn't the best for peak lay anyway, so I can't imagine getting any more than that. You can feed cayenne pepper...some say this increases or starts laying but I wouldn't. Time to replace your old layers with younger ones if you want daily lay.

 

[centrarchid]

Want eggs for genetics of old hens. The old birds are of a line that I can not find replacements for. Hoping to convert old hens into young productive pullets so I can rebuild line. I will look into cayane pepper. I have used it and paprika at nealry 10% for fishes and shrimp. Did not seem to affect egg production but did seemto promote hatch.

So the chickens are not bothered by the taste? What amount should be added? How do I mix it in?

 

[pgpoultry]

In most cases the hens that have stopped laying have done so because their ovaries stopped working (cf. human menopause). I would be interested to know if anyone has successfully managed to get old hens to start up again....I've some old girls who are living out their retirement with me!

Sandie

 

[Beekissed]

I have found that older birds have more incidence of becoming egg bound due to abnormal ovulation.

On a more personal note...I can't imagine someone making me start ovulating again after I finally reached menopause!!!!