I just got my year old hens a week ago and the 6 hens went from laying 4-5 eggs to 1 egg yesterday and none today. I am feeding them 2 cups of mash and about a handful of a variety of treats (lettuce, oatmeal, rice, ect..). I also give them grit. They will be free range in another week but since they are new I was told to keep in coop for 2 weeks before letting them out. Are they just stressed and so are not laying eggs?
Why don't you have food offered to them 24/7 without limit?? I'm confused on this? I have a 5gallon bucket full of food for them to take as needed and they get treats/cracked corn tossed in nightly as well. Not daily do my hens lay, somedays I get alot and some days fewer eggs. You also might want to check if you have any egg eaters, this could be another cause. And yes, moving them can stress them and reduce egg laying as well. Numerous things, but my biggest concern is why not offer them free choice of food all day?? They will eat way less once they go to free range but for now, I'd not limit it to 2cups, I'd let them eat as much as they want/need!
