Hens not laying

[Derrel57]

We have 5 Salmon Faverolles that are one year old and have been consist layer for months. We went out of town for a week and they layed well while we were away. But since we have returned we a lucky to get one egg every couple days. Any ideas why?

 

[Derrel57]

We have 5 Salmon Faverolles that are one year old and have been consist layer for months. We went out of town for a week and they layed well while we were away. But since we have returned we a lucky to get one egg every couple days. Any ideas why?

Editing this to say I meant they had been consistent layers for months.

 

[aart]

What's different since you got back...maybe more free ranging?

 

[Derrel57]

What's different since you got back...maybe more free ranging?

Yes definitely more free ranging. We have searched for eggs all around the backyard but haven’t found any. They have a nice run behind the coop with an electric door on a timer so they weren’t closed up in the coop while we were away. But they weren’t free ranging for a week.

 

[aart]

Did they free range before vacation, but still laid in coop nests?

You might need to lock them back up.
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 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.

 

[Derrel57]

Did they free range before vacation, but still laid in coop nests?

You might need to lock them back up.
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 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.

Yeah they are in the coop except for the last four hours of daylight and we have golf ball in the box. One is laying. The other four aren’t. I’m sure they will pick back up. Thanks for your help.

 

[Derrel57]

Yeah they are in the coop except for the last four hours of daylight and we have golf ball in the box. One is laying. The other four aren’t. I’m sure they will pick back up. Thanks for your help.

Their routine before vacation was to stay in coop until 3:00. They usually lay by then. We resumed that schedule when we returned but only one is laying. I’m pretty sure it’s the hen by the look of the egg and box it’s layed in. I am wondering if they got stressed and “missed” us while we were away

 

[wilkinsfarm2020]

Have any of them become.broody?

 

[aart]

I am wondering if they got stressed and “missed” us while we were away

but......

We went out of town for a week and they layed well while we were away.