Hens not laying

[Chocohen]

Hello Everyone,

I need some help/advice with my flock. I have 33 hens of different varieties. They are all 1 1/2 years old at this point. When they first started laying I was getting around 25 to 29 eggs daily. However, within the last 3-4 months they have slowed in laying to a crawl! I am getting around 9-12 eggs a day now. One thing I will say, is that I have been having an issue with plumage mites. I have been dusting them on and off and fumigated their coop several months ago. THat seemed to help but I still have a few hens that are looking kinda 'patchy' so I still think I have a small mite problem. They are a PIA to get rid of it seems!

However, the small amount of eggs has been baffling and I am not sure what to do? Can you folks help me. give any and all advice or elude to what the issue might be? Not sure what to do at this point.

Thanks to all!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you have a rooster? They can cause feather loss.

Unfortunately laying is decreasing due to the heat and time of year, so your decrease in production is normal. Some hens will have a slight surge in production going into the cooler months of fall.

Hens over a year will quit to molt, generally between late August and December. Many won't resume until after January and February, so the best laying is behind us now for all but the young layers.

 

[Chocohen]

Hello,

No, I have no roosters. Just the issue with no laying as well and I still have a few hens with what I believe to be plumage mites. Cannot see to eradicate them completely and it is driving me insane! I have been dusting the hens pretty regularly too. I do really appreciate your response and any further suggestion would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Mike

Do you have a rooster? They can cause feather loss.

Unfortunately laying is decreasing due to the heat and time of year, so your decrease in production is normal. Some hens will have a slight surge in production going into the cooler months of fall.

Hens over a year will quit to molt, generally between late August and December. Many won't resume until after January and February, so the best laying is behind us now for all but the young layers.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you have depluming mites dusting won't help as those mites live under the skin. I believe people use ivomec to treat them, though I'm not positive.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chocohen, where are you, north or south of the equator? This sounds like it could be a molt, especially if you are south of the equator..

Why do you think you have plumage mites? What are the symptoms? Could you post a photo? Do you see loose feathers floating around?

How hot is it where you are if you are north of the equator or how cold if you are south? As OHLD said they tend to slow down in extremely weather, cold or hot. Putting your general location in your profile would help with some of these questions.

After hens have been laying for a year solid or longer their bodies get kind of worn out. They often take a break from laying to rejuvenate a bit. Some of that could be going on.

A very common reason for hens to stop laying is that they haven't stopped but are hiding a nest. Could that be going on?

 

[aart]

Yes, hidden nest......Do you free range?
Damaged feathers won't regrow until the bird molts.
What exactly are you using to 'dust'?