Grain that deters egg laying

[gullybrush]

A couple of years ago, I read something on Backyard that discussed a grain or grains that may lessen egg production. Would anyone know anything about this?
Thanks

 

[DakotaDreamer]

I don't know anything about it but a low calcium grain probably would deter egg laying but it might hurt the hens because of it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Restricting exposure to light and feeding a diet insufficient in protein and other nutrients to support production can cause a hen to stop laying. That being said, such management is not really ideal...is there a rain. ...recurrent prolapse, egg binding, etc that you want to deter production?

 

[gullybrush]

Restricting exposure to light and feeding a diet insufficient in protein and other nutrients to support production can cause a hen to stop laying. That being said, such management is not really ideal...is there a rain. ...recurrent prolapse, egg binding, etc that you want to deter production?

Just trying to figure out why 13 hens, with no change in diet or other changes, consistently lay one or two eggs a day for the last three months. About 5 of the hens are 3-4 years old, but I know at least two of them still lay weird looking old lady eggs, but still....one good egg a day from the young ones?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What are you feeding? Are they confined to a coop and run or free ranged? Are they showing physical signs of being in production (plump, waxy, red comb/wattle; moist wide vent) or out (pale, dry, shriveled comb/wattkes, dry, tight vent)? Is the coop secure enough to eliminate an all you can eat egg buffet potential for loss?

 

[gullybrush]

What are you feeding? Are they confined to a coop and run or free ranged? Are they showing physical signs of being in production (plump, waxy, red comb/wattle; moist wide vent) or out (pale, dry, shriveled comb/wattkes, dry, tight vent)? Is the coop secure enough to eliminate an all you can eat egg buffet potential for loss?

Okay, I've been studying my chickens. They have two yards (40x40 and a 30x50) with daily access to both and my 40x60 garden from July to early September and and November to March. I check the yards to see if they're laying outside, but not. The coop is 12x24 with 6 nests. They have a shaded area outside and a fan in the coop at a low setting. Combs and wattles look full, flexible and red except for the old ones. They all have poop on their rear, but not much except for 2 whites. They've always has messier rears, I guess poop on white shows up more? None are matted or excessive. Egg laying always slows down in Texas heat, but not to 1 or maybe 2 a day. 8 chicks are 12-14 months old. I check the nests about twice a day and again at night when I lock the coop. The only thing that can get in the coop are snakes and maybe a ferret, but ferrets are rare in Texas (I think). I will set my camera in the coop and get some fake eggs. Thanks for your input and suggestions. I'm beginning to think it's the heat as we've had daily high 90s for quite a while.