Help! My Hens aren't laying!

[Chickens1001]

I learnt from my papaw that if you feed them too much they won't lay as much!

Also if they are aggravated or stressed it puts a dent into their production.

Do you feed them, scratch feed? Maybe if you give them variety it will get them back on track a laying!

I put a little bit of Sand and Mineral into my hens food to help them!!

Or it could be, if their old enough that they could be on their molting period or resting period, usually every chicken has a resting chicken.

 

[albchickenfarm]

Don't give them anything with sugar additives. Just plain yogurt if you are going to give them some. Or try the cottage cheese. And they don't need a lot... I also wouldn't give it to the ladies every day.

Thank you very much! I will try it.

 

[albchickenfarm]

Thank you for this useful information! I think that they might be on their resting/molting period. I will have to try putting sand and minerals in their food too. Thanks again.

 

[albchickenfarm]

Here is some information on molting.


http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/What-is-molting-H107.aspx

"Birds can go through either a hard molt or a soft molt. A hard molt means all the feathers are lost almost at once so molting is over relatively quickly. A soft molt means the feathers are lost and regrown gradually. Sometimes you may hardly notice a soft molt, except as a reduction in laying. Molting takes a few weeks or more, depending on the "hardness" of the molt--it can seem like a hardship when you don't have delicious fresh eggs!"

Thank you ! This is very useful. I think the soft molt is may be what they are going through right now.

 

[Bullitt]

I learnt from my papaw that if you feed them too much they won't lay as much!

I have never heard that. Many people have feed available in the coop 24 hours a day for their chickens and have great egg production.

 

[Chickens1001]

Not a lot of sand just a little bit!! if you put too much they wont eat their food I just put a little bit on top of their food but you can try mixing it!! Your welcome!!

 

[chickenman111]

Hey I need help. My hens aren't laying good. They had bare backs from roosters mounting and about the same time I started them on Barley fodder. Soon after that the stopped laying and started regrowing their feathers. Its now been 7 weeks and I've only got 1 egg and that was last week. I'm feeding them Barley fodder mixed with sprouted peas to. Do you have any ideas. Please help. Do I need to feed them more laying feed to , more protein , calcium ? any help is appreciated

 

[albchickenfarm]

So I have a 6 month old pullet who isn't laying yet. She is perfectly healthy and is eating fine. Why isn't she laying? Help!

 

[albchickenfarm]

Hey I need help. My hens aren't laying good. They had bare backs from roosters mounting and about the same time I started them on Barley fodder. Soon after that the stopped laying and started regrowing their feathers. Its now been 7 weeks and I've only got 1 egg and that was last week. I'm feeding them Barley fodder mixed with sprouted peas to. Do you have any ideas. Please help. Do I need to feed them more laying feed to , more protein , calcium ? any help is appreciated

I am not sure why your hens aren't laying. One of my suggestions is that you feed them plain yogurt which is mainly calcium. This will hopefully boost their systems and get them back to laying. Last winter my hens weren't laying and I fed them hot mash (warm water mixed with regular laying feed) and they started laying fine. I hope this helps and you will start getting more eggs!

 

[chickenman111]

thank you. I will try this.