Hens aren't laying, could it be the heat?

[gennafer]

Hi all,

I have mostly barred rock with one easter mix. They are all 1-2 years old and have been laying fine. Recently they started dropping off until only the easter mix was laying. (I can tell because she's the only one who lays blue eggs) Now she's down to laying every few days. My mother, who lives the next street over, is where I get extra eggs when mine aren't producing enough. My mothers chickens seem to have slacked off laying also. So I am wondering if it could be the heat. It has been getting to 97-100 degrees F here in the afternoons, could it be too hot for them to lay?

 

[LeiaLayers5]

Hi all,

I have mostly barred rock with one easter mix. They are all 1-2 years old and have been laying fine. Recently they started dropping off until only the easter mix was laying. (I can tell because she's the only one who lays blue eggs) Now she's down to laying every few days. My mother, who lives the next street over, is where I get extra eggs when mine aren't producing enough. My mothers chickens seem to have slacked off laying also. So I am wondering if it could be the heat. It has been getting to 97-100 degrees F here in the afternoons, could it be too hot for them to lay?

I asked this same question last week when i noticed similar problems with ours. I got the response that they can lay less due to the heat, it can be a stress factor but when our weather recently fluctuated back to 80s they picked up a bit again. I would not worry, but there are alot of treats and ideas to keep them cool I have read about that help too! Fruit icees or smoothies.....cold watermelon.....etc...