My RIRs have slowed down greatly also. I was getting 7 to 9 eggs a day and now I'm only getting 3. So I don't know why. They are still on the same feed.
Girls have stopped laying :( not sure why
- Thread starter davekrista
- Start date
Could this have anything to do with the weather?
Davekrista,
I have run out of ideas - -
1.) You are not too hot - - #1 reason for production loss right now.
2.) You don't have too many roosters stressing out the girls
3.) You don't have a external parasite issue - - no missing feathers
4.) You aren't having flock conflicts - - - no missing feathers and flock has been together for 4 months.
5.) You haven't experienced any changes - - other than food
6.) You don't think worms are the issue
7.) No signs of predators . . .
8.) Nobody is molting - - no missing feathers
NOTHING IS LEFT - - - except the food.
I am really surprise that going from one form of laying feed to another form of laying feed
would cause such a total shut down on egg production.
At this point, I am with others on this - - - switch back and see if the that fixes the problem.
Good Luck
I have run out of ideas - -
1.) You are not too hot - - #1 reason for production loss right now.
2.) You don't have too many roosters stressing out the girls
3.) You don't have a external parasite issue - - no missing feathers
4.) You aren't having flock conflicts - - - no missing feathers and flock has been together for 4 months.
5.) You haven't experienced any changes - - other than food
6.) You don't think worms are the issue
7.) No signs of predators . . .
8.) Nobody is molting - - no missing feathers
NOTHING IS LEFT - - - except the food.
I am really surprise that going from one form of laying feed to another form of laying feed
would cause such a total shut down on egg production.
At this point, I am with others on this - - - switch back and see if the that fixes the problem.
Good Luck
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- Thread starter
- #24
nanawendy - I was thinking the same thing about the weather. It does seem to be cooling off pretty quickly (its August) but we're supposed to be getting the humidity back for a few days so we'll see what happens.
math ace - that is why I am so confused, I can't figure a reason for it. I guess there "could" be a "predator" and I just haven't seen evidence of it yet, but I'm definately looking now. Hopefully I'll figure something out. What are the chances they all could be egg bound at the same time? Thanks for all your suggestions.
I know hot weather affects the egg production, but what about cool weather? Does that also affect it? I'm debating on putting a light or heater in there at night. Wondering if it could be getting too cold for them? I have to start paying better attention to the temps but my husband and I were sitting outside about 9pm the other night and it was chilly, I was cold.
math ace - that is why I am so confused, I can't figure a reason for it. I guess there "could" be a "predator" and I just haven't seen evidence of it yet, but I'm definately looking now. Hopefully I'll figure something out. What are the chances they all could be egg bound at the same time? Thanks for all your suggestions.
I know hot weather affects the egg production, but what about cool weather? Does that also affect it? I'm debating on putting a light or heater in there at night. Wondering if it could be getting too cold for them? I have to start paying better attention to the temps but my husband and I were sitting outside about 9pm the other night and it was chilly, I was cold.
The older ones could be getting ready to molt. Mine quit laying for 2 weeks before I saw the feathers coming off them. Some of my girls that didn't molt last winter, are starting to slow down in their laying, so I suspect they are getting ready to molt.
As for the feed, I only feed mash, but I've read that some birds do not like pellets. If they are not eating, they won't be laying. ETA: Switch them back to the prior food and see if it fixes the problem.
As for the feed, I only feed mash, but I've read that some birds do not like pellets. If they are not eating, they won't be laying. ETA: Switch them back to the prior food and see if it fixes the problem.
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Quote:
The chickens carry a nice heavy coat of insulation with them. Egg production normally slows down when the level of light changes - -- not because it gets colder. Our chilly should feel great to the birds. Unless you are getting lows really cold that should not be stopping the production.
The cooler weather could induce a molt though. . . . If you switch their food back and wait two weeks - - either - - -
1.) They will be laying
2.) They will not be laying and the loss of feathers will indicate molting.
I don't think it is likely that all your birds are egg bound at the same time - - - Nice try though !
The chickens carry a nice heavy coat of insulation with them. Egg production normally slows down when the level of light changes - -- not because it gets colder. Our chilly should feel great to the birds. Unless you are getting lows really cold that should not be stopping the production.
The cooler weather could induce a molt though. . . . If you switch their food back and wait two weeks - - either - - -
1.) They will be laying
2.) They will not be laying and the loss of feathers will indicate molting.
I don't think it is likely that all your birds are egg bound at the same time - - - Nice try though !
Quote:
Yes the heat has alot to do with it. Mine have really slowed down also. I wouldn't worry about it
Yes the heat has alot to do with it. Mine have really slowed down also. I wouldn't worry about it
I read through the posts, but I might not of caught it if this question has been asked already, are you sure your hens aren't eating the eggs? Unlikely if you go out to check so often and haven't caught anyone in the act, but maybe.
One quick and easy way to know would be to put an egg or two in the nesting box, leave for a couple hours, then go back and check to see if they're still there. This would also definitively answer the predator question as well.
One quick and easy way to know would be to put an egg or two in the nesting box, leave for a couple hours, then go back and check to see if they're still there. This would also definitively answer the predator question as well.
- Thread starter
- #29
Neeleys - That is a good Idea. I will definately try that tomorrow.
Also I have found like a hole in the floor, but I'm not sure if the eggs could be through the floor? I am going to have my husband get down and look underneath our shed to see if there are eggs underneath. They've been laying on the floor so i guess its possible they kicked them through the hole? I never noticed because its under their nesting box, but they also lay under the boxes. I am hoping that my husband finds some under there because I can't think of anything else that would cause it.....
Also I have found like a hole in the floor, but I'm not sure if the eggs could be through the floor? I am going to have my husband get down and look underneath our shed to see if there are eggs underneath. They've been laying on the floor so i guess its possible they kicked them through the hole? I never noticed because its under their nesting box, but they also lay under the boxes. I am hoping that my husband finds some under there because I can't think of anything else that would cause it.....
Oooo, hole in the floor....hmmmm, think you might have a snake or something gobbling up those precious eggs? Any luck putting eggs in the nest to check?
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