HELP!!!

[KinnaChickie]

so I have the most beautiful chickens ever. The older batch is over a year old and the youngins are at 8 months old. For the longest they were all laying eggs I would get a dozen a day. I recent bought new baby chicks back in June. Since they have arrived, the big ones stopped laying so much. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong. I have never had this happen before. Now I am getting maybe 3 eggs max a day.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Egg production slows down each year. You could give them more protein if they are molting. Chickens need Protein and calcium both to make new feathers and eggs.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

so I have the most beautiful chickens ever. The older batch is over a year old and the youngins are at 8 months old. For the longest they were all laying eggs I would get a dozen a day. I recent bought new baby chicks back in June. Since they have arrived, the big ones stopped laying so much. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong. I have never had this happen before. Now I am getting maybe 3 eggs max a day.

In my experience yes. Chicken’s are very strange creatures. Mine will quit over any little change to their little world.

 

[KinnaChickie]

In my experience yes. Chicken’s are very strange creatures. Mine will quit over any little change to their little world.

were you able to fix that change and they go back to normal? I rather enjoyed our free range eggs over them nasty ol store bought ones. I think a lot had to do with the one we called "big momma" died. She got bit by a spider and we couldn't save her. after that it seemed they just stopped flowing with eggs. hopefully things will go back to normal

 

[KinnaChickie]

Egg production slows down each year. You could give them more protein if they are molting. Chickens need Protein and calcium both to make new feathers and eggs.

I have been giving the older ones oyster shells and ofc plenty of grit. they love to free range on the yard with bugs and lizards and stuff occasionally eating their feed but im wondering if I should lock them up in the am to get them back on schedule.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

They might also be laying eggs elsewhere.. mine did that once lol. Found eggs neatly settled on some very small pebbles..

 

[snow5164]

You got them a year ago? They’re moulting ..getting new feathers and not laying happens each year. Adding new ones doesn’t help either I’d do that as little as possible ,

 

[KinnaChickie]

You got them a year ago? They’re moulting ..getting new feathers and not laying happens each year. Adding new ones doesn’t help either I’d do that as little as possible ,

THE OLDEST OF THEM ARE A ALMOST A YEAR AND HALF OLD. THE NEXT ONES WILL BE A YEAR IN OCT. THEN I GOT NEW BABIES....JUST HATCHED IN JUNE. THE OLDER ONES DIDNT HAVE A ISSUE WITH THE SECOND BATCH BUT NOW THAT THEY ARE OF LAYING AGE AND THESE NEW ONES ARE HERE I THINK IT PUT THEM OFF BALANCE. IM KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED THEY GET BACK TO NORMAL CHICKEN LIFE.

 

[aart]

If your birds are 18 months old they may well have stopped laying to molt,'
if you live in the northern hemisphere.....

..or are laying out in their range area due to the influx of 'strangers'(the newest chicks).
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary

Welcome to BYC!

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[KinnaChickie]

If your birds are 18 months old they may well have stopped laying to molt,'
if you live in the northern hemisphere.....

..or are laying out in their range area due to the influx of 'strangers'(the newest chicks).
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary

Welcome to BYC!

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1486583

THANKS, I APPRECIATE IT. I WILL RETRAIN THEM AND HOPEFULLY IT WORKS OUT. I APPRECIATE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.