Help, no more eggs - what to do? Don't want to eat the girls.

[zobobo]

I have 2 red sex-links, given to me 18 months ago at an unknown age. They produced like crazy last year, probably 300 eggs each. This year, however, is almost the exact opposite... zero eggs since winter. Another odd thing is, last year they were pooping up a storm & I had to clean under their roost every couple of days, now they hardly poop at all... I could wait weeks before cleaning under them. But they are both still fat. Their main diet is all purpose mash, with afternoon snacks consisting of rolled oats or cracked corn or leftover hamburger, etc.

I really hope there's an explanation other than that they're just past their prime... I prefer not to eat these hens. Can someone tell me any other reason for suddenly stopping production?

 

[MeepBeep]

I'm going to guess you need to reevaluate their diet... Try a higher protein level layer feed, and offer a bowl of oyster shells on the side at all times as for 'treats' well consider only giving 'healthy' treats in moderate levels for now... Many times the birds will wait for the treats, just like a kid won't eat diner if he knows ice cream is going to be offered later...

 

[zobobo]

Yeah I noticed that... their absolute favorite thing is a shovel of compost that's full of worms. When they get that they don't want their mash at all any more.