girls stopped laying

[cmarlowdrive]

I am getting 1 egg every other day which is down from 3-4 a day. My girls love the lettuce and grapes I used to give them, but, I read lettuce and fruit gives them the runs. Maybe it is just all the water they are drinking. I started giving them yogurt and oatmeal mix every morning for the tummy troubles. I cut back on watermelon too. They love canned tuna, but, I cut that out. Not sure what to do, but, they get their choice of 16% laying feed or grower, since not everyone is laying. The few eggs we get are very clean, always have been. No need to wash. I have not wormed them. Wouldn't I see worms in the poo?

 

[dlp40]

Worms don't always show in the poo. I wormed my flock today because after 1 yr, I found my 1st poo worm that was visible to the naked eye. After a little science experiment with my daughters microscope, there where tons of actual non-visible worms.
I have had no signs of worms but as of 2 weeks ago my egg production fell from 4/5 each day to 2/5 each day.
Now I am on the worm war path using both medication and homeopathic worm erradicators.
I would try the worming if I was you. Especially while the egg production is low because any eggs, for up to 2 weeks
plus, has to be disposed of anyway while on worm meds.

 

[junebuggena]

I am getting 1 egg every other day which is down from 3-4 a day. My girls love the lettuce and grapes I used to give them, but, I read lettuce and fruit gives them the runs. Maybe it is just all the water they are drinking. I started giving them yogurt and oatmeal mix every morning for the tummy troubles. I cut back on watermelon too. They love canned tuna, but, I cut that out. Not sure what to do, but, they get their choice of 16% laying feed or grower, since not everyone is laying. The few eggs we get are very clean, always have been. No need to wash. I have not wormed them. Wouldn't I see worms in the poo?

There is absolutely no reason why you need to keep feeding layer. It doesn't have any magical, egg inducing ingredient. It is, however, too low in protein for growing or molting birds and has way too much calcium for non-producing birds. A grower feed is a much better option. Just leave some crushed oyster shell out for those that need it.

 

[crealbilly]

There is absolutely no reason why you need to keep feeding layer. It doesn't have any magical, egg inducing ingredient. It is, however, too low in protein for growing or molting birds and has way too much calcium for non-producing birds. A grower feed is a much better option. Just leave some crushed oyster shell out for those that need it.

I agree and fell for this myself when i first got started. I now feed all flock 18% and have free choice crushed oyster shell for my layers.

 

[cmarlowdrive]

WOW, not at all what I have been reading. In fact, first time reading this. Interesting,that they prefer the grower feed. That is actually good news.

 

[junebuggena]

I prefer a 20% flock raiser, myself. I get better/faster growth on my cockerels with the higher protein. The sooner I can get those boys in the freezer, the better.

 

[crealbilly]

I prefer a 20% flock raiser, myself. I get better/faster growth on my cockerels with the higher protein. The sooner I can get those boys in the freezer, the better.

Yep... I agree again i feed my CCX 21% meatbird but the rest (turkeys and layers) get 18% all flock. When my young layers drop their first eggs - i add free choice oyster shell. Its just me learning how to care for the flock is all. But like you i don't consider 16% layer viable anymore. Ocasaionally my wife throws them some kitchen scraps but i told her not to give them anything processed, cooked or root crops like onions. So far so good...

 

[junebuggena]

Yep... I agree again

i feed my CCX 21% meatbird but the rest (turkeys and layers) get 18% all flock. When my young layers drop their first eggs - i add free choice oyster shell. Its just me learning how to care for the flock is all. But like you i don't consider 16% layer viable anymore. Ocasaionally my wife throws them some kitchen scraps but i told her not to give them anything processed, cooked or root crops like onions. So far so good...

Mine aren't meat breeds, but I still get a decent growth rate and dressed weight out of my dual-purpose boys with that higher protein. Most are ready by 14 weeks. Plus, it really speeds along the molting process. And it's better for helping keep broodies in good condition while they are sitting. Mine usually get back to laying after just 3 or 4 weeks. Far too many benefits of a high protein feed for me to ever bother with layer feed.

 

[lilchickenbutt]

My chickens haven't layed an egg in almost a week. Nothing has changed in their diet or routine. They aren't molting either. I thought maybe the heat but they were laying on hotter days so that can't be it. I have no idea what the problem could be. They are a few years old but this was sudden.

 

[Little Fuzzy]

How old ae they?