Hens not laying eggs much?

[Kuritsa y Utochka]

Hi all,

I purchased six Barred Rock hens on Tuesday, April 11 (last Tuesday). All six of them seemed to be laying eggs perfectly fine for the first few days (I think we got around 10 eggs in the first two or three days). After the first couple days, we've gotten one, at most, per day (the total count is 15 eggs in 5 and a half days). The hens seem very young, happy and healthy, although the farm I purchased them from did not disclose their age. They get outdoor time for 10-12 hours per day, have six nesting boxes in their rather spacious coop, and don't seem to be under much stress at all. Does anyone know why we're getting so few eggs? I just want to know that my girls are safe. Thanks in advance for any help.

Kuritsa

 

[Kiki]

The move probably upset or stressed them.
That alone is enough to cause them to stop laying eggs for a while which would be normal.

What exactly are you feeding them?

 

[Kuritsa y Utochka]

What exactly are you feeding them?

Thanks for the reply, Kiki.

I've fed them only Manna Pro organic complete feed layer pellets, worms from my garden, and table scraps. Some of the table scraps I've fed them include tangerine slices and peels, egg shells, bread soaked in water (to soften up the crusty pieces), lettuce, butternut squash, millet, tomato, apple slices and chunks of core, and strawberry tops (there might be more, I tried my best to list them all but I am not confident). They have access to a waterer, feeder with layer pellets, and grit (patio/paver sand) during the entire day.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Kiki]

Thanks for the reply, Kiki.

I've fed them only Manna Pro organic complete feed layer pellets, worms from my garden, and table scraps. Some of the table scraps I've fed them include tangerine slices and peels, egg shells, bread soaked in water (to soften up the crusty pieces), lettuce, butternut squash, millet, tomato, apple slices and chunks of core, and strawberry tops (there might be more, I tried my best to list them all but I am not confident). They have access to a waterer, feeder with layer pellets, and grit (patio/paver sand) during the entire day.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

I'd stop feeding all treats/table scraps immediately.

The layer pellets is a balanced diet...contains what they need to lay eggs.
By feeding everything else you are taking away from them getting a balanced diet which could very much be part of the problem with them not laying eggs.

 

[aart]

They get outdoor time for 10-12 hours per day

Diet could be part of the problem, but I suspect they are laying out in the range area.

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/run 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.

 

[Kuritsa y Utochka]

Diet could be part of the problem, but I suspect they are laying out in the range area.

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/run 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.

They usually lay in the middle of the living area (perches) of the coop. I've tried to encourage them to use their nesting boxes by putting more pine shavings there, and gently placing them there when I moved them to the coop at night. They occasionally lay in their 200 square foot chicken run.

Thanks for the help.

 

[aart]

I've tried to encourage them to use their nesting boxes by putting more pine shavings there, and gently placing them there when I moved them to the coop at night.

Not a good idea to put them in a nest at night, when they should be sleeping on a roost.
Post pics of the nests?
Put some fake eggs in the nests.