Hen are not laying. 19 hens and only 5 eggs a day....

[ReiMiraa]

actually i own 27. ...... 3 are roos. 5 are bantms so i dont count them (they dont lay, i got them for free from someone)

and 2 weeks ago i got some layers for free from a friend who no longer had time for them,..... they are a year old or more, but not past laying because i saw the eggs they laid the day i got them..... they havent laid since.

my original flock (8) is not laying much even though the days are getting longer. they were laying 6 a day plus these 9 hens i got who were laying good at their old place.
i admit the coop is a little small for the size of flock( going to build a new one during spring break) but i let them out in the mornings to free range all day. they have oyster shell scratch and layer food and water.

none of them seem sick. their poo is normal from what i can tell.

so what excuse is there for them to be declining in egg laying???
cos i am getting tired of going through feed without getting anything in return. this has been going on for a few weeks.
any help is great, i have read and reread my chicken books and am stumped.

 

[dawg53]

There are many causes for hens not to lay, for example: Introducing new chickens to an existing flock, overcrowding in the chicken house, pecking order shakeup, mites/lice, old age, moult,worms, feed and weather. There's probably some reasons that I missed but these are the usual culprets.