Hens Not Laying Enough

[PolarBear]

I have 6 grown hens that were laying regularly when I got them. I have had them for almost 1 week now. I expected it to take a little time for them to start laying regularly again after moving them into a different home. However, I had started getting 4 eggs but for the last 2 days in a row I only got 1 egg. We have had a lot of rain for the last couple of days so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. I know that 6 hens should average about 4 eggs a day. Do you think that the rain is the problem? By the way, I'm feeding 100% laying feed on the advice of the man that owns the local feed store. Some say that they feed a mixture of crushed corn and laying feed. What do you suggest to keep the hens healthy and keep up maximum egg production? Like I said in an earlier post, I'm very new at this so any and all advice is appreciated. Thank is advance.

 

[b.hromada]

Sounds like my girls. Maybe its just to hot for them. That will affect them also. Some days, the girls just "take a day or two off" thats what I say. They always seem to come around though.

 

[Uppity Peon]

Rain can cause snakes to explore around for dryer places to hang out....

 

[PolarBear]

I thought about that but the nesting boxes are high enough off of the ground that I was hoping that wouldn't be a problem. Any ideas about how to keep them out? I am more concerned about snakes hurting/killing my hens than I am about them eating eggs, but the main reason I got the hens was for eggs too. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[onedozenphyllises]

Snakes can climb, so they can get into the nest boxes, pretty much no matter how high you put them.

Unless the snakes are poisonous, they won't likely kill your hens, I don't think. Usually what we get are rat snakes. Some people place golf balls in the nest for the snakes to eat. I do routine checks for snakes, especially when we get lots of rain. Be sure to take a shovel or something and turn over the bedding in your coop, as they will often hang out underneath it.