Hen stopped laying-she was born Oct 2014

[coop2cupcakes]

I have 2 hens, a RRR and a crested creamed legbar. They started as good layers then completely stopped. A couple of months ago the crested cream legbar started laying again but the RRR has only had a couple of eggs in the last 2 months. She seems like her usually self other than not laying eggs. I've switched around different feed and they get random leftovers a couple times a week and only free range a couple of hours when I get home from work and on the weekends. I'm in Orange County So Cal.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

More information is needed, age of your birds, what you are feeding them, and what is RRR?

 

[coop2cupcakes]

She was born in Oct 2014 and I'm feeding them layer food. She is a Rhode Island Red.

 

[aart]

May still be recovering from molt?
Layer feed is pretty low in protein, so takes longer for them to grow back feathers.
Did you just change brands of layer feed or a different formulation?
Look at ingredient and nutrition levels on feed bag labels for protein levels.

 

[coop2cupcakes]

The feed bag says no less than 16% protein and they just finished a 50 pound bag and I only have 2 hens. I just bought a new bag at a different feed store that is Purina layer mash and it also says no less than 16%. She never did loose any feathers but our other one did and and all feathers back and is laying every day.

 

[aart]

I like to feed a flock raiser/grower/finisher 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating.