HELP!!!! 5 Hens laying and then BAM! No eggs

[#1Chickenfan]

My 5 hens were born last June '08 and started laying a total of 5 eggs over the winter. I had a light on for an additional few hours of light for a total of 14 hrs a day. Now into spring I'm only getting 1 egg every other day or every 2 days. Does anyone have an idea what's wrong. I'm in the process of making a outside pen so they can get fresh air, tomorrow that will be done. They all seem healthy so that isn't suspected. Please help!!!!

Thanks,

 

[jnjross]

i ran into this problem, and discovered they had gotten mites! two weeks after dusting and spraying all but one will lay again.

check the feed you may have gotten a miss-labeled bag?

 

[cmom]

Maybe they are going through a mini molt or have found some place to hide their eggs.

 

[xpecting]

I need HELP!
I have 4 lovely girls about 3 years old - 1 x Austalorp, 1 x Chinese Silky, and 2 x Isa Browns. All were laying well untill the end of last winter and then nothing! Occasionaly I have had some soft shelled eggs or shelless eggs and now which ever chicken is laying, she is not getting it in the nest!
I have given shell grit, ag lime, changed their diet and wormed them and dusted them.

What else is there?

 

[Mahonri]

I got 10 eggs yesterday.

only 2 today.

 

[fowl weathered friend]

MAKE SURE THEY HAVE OYSTER SHELL/GRIT! Soft-shelled eggs can be a sign that hey are not getting enough calcium.

If there are no other outside facctors--sick, molting, mites, weather--then they may be going through a dryer period. If it's just a day-to-day issue then that seems to be pretty normal. Out of my small flock I can expect 2-3 eggs a day typically (not all hens lay every day--this is normal and healthy). Last week I had 6 in one day. Today only two so far. This does not mean anything is wrong with them.
However, if you notice a drop in egg production all at once, this could be a sign that something's wrong.

Check for the common factors: is the feed clean, good quality and the right kind? How about their drinking water? Is it overly hot/cold? Could they have mites? How do their crops look/feel? Is the coop clean?
Look carefully for signs of illness--there are many online resources for common signs of sickness in poultry--and quarantine/treat appropriately.

Remember that chickens are hardy but can take a while to bounce back. If there was a sudden cold snap last weekend, or it hit a 100 for the first time this year (like it did here in AZ), don't expect your chickens to be back to normal today. Same with illness or broodiness: they take a bit to get over it. If they are ill or focusing all of their energy on staying warm/cooling off, they won't lay many eggs. Eggs take work and expendable energy!

Check all your bases, and keep an eye on them. And check your yard: they may also be hiding nests from you--it is spring afterall.

 

[Wynette]

xpecting, they should not be getting ag lime; it's toxic to them.

#1chickenfan - it's possible your girls need a break. When you add artificial light, it changes their biology; they actually weren't intended to lay each day (with the exception of possibly the production breeds, but even THEY need a break now and then). They might simply be burned out. Check them for mites/lice, make sure they're getting layer feed, oyster shell, and grit all free choice, and plenty of fresh air & sunshine. THey'll reward you when they've had a break, i bet!

 

[Ridgerunner]

As others have said, there are many reasons hens will slow down or stop laying. This site goes through several of them.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/34.html

Good luck.

 

[#1Chickenfan]

Well, today the hen's deceided to reward my family with 2 eggs! Thanks!

Also Thanks to all the BYCer's who cared enough to give me such good advice to have a health flock.

I just built a second coop this week and will be moving my new chicks into it once they are ready to get out of the brooder.

What is a good cure for mites? My brother has free range chickens and they love his wood ash pile! I assume they are doing a little self dusting!

Should I give them a little ash to dust in?

 

[#1Chickenfan]

It is possible that these chicken's need a break. All winter long they laid 4-5 eggs a day. Rarely did I get only 3 eggs a day. Even in -40 below I'd get eggs! I have to give my hens credit, they did a wonderful job off providing all the eggs my family needed!


5 girls, 1 wonderful wife, 6 white leghorns, chicks include: 4 silver-laced wyandotes, 4 brown leghorns, 4 production red, 2 gold star, 4 light brahmas, and 45 cornish X. 18 eggs in the incubator