Recently we bought 20 Silver Spangled Hamburg hens. At the time we got them, we were told they were laying about 12 eggs per day. For about a week after we brought them home, they were indeed laying at least a dozen eggs daily.
All of a sudden they just quit laying altogether for about a week. Now they lay maybe one or two eggs a day. We thought maybe they were laying them around the yard, but that is not the case. They, along with the rest of our birds, are limited to a 1200 square foot yard, and I have searched diligently to find a hidden nest. No such luck.
The only thing we are doing differently from the previous owners is the feed. We feed only pure organic soy free whole grain (not milled)16% protein layer feed. The commercial feeds that is what we think their free range grazing was supplemented with is about 18% protein. They still free range all day, and only go to the hen house if they want to and to lay eggs. Most of them roost in the fruit trees at night.
Anyone have any ideas as to what might be going on? We are at a loss to figure it out. They show no signs of stress, no molting, no runny eyes, no diarrhea, or any other apparent health issues. The rest of our birds are laying like always.
Thanks
All of a sudden they just quit laying altogether for about a week. Now they lay maybe one or two eggs a day. We thought maybe they were laying them around the yard, but that is not the case. They, along with the rest of our birds, are limited to a 1200 square foot yard, and I have searched diligently to find a hidden nest. No such luck.
The only thing we are doing differently from the previous owners is the feed. We feed only pure organic soy free whole grain (not milled)16% protein layer feed. The commercial feeds that is what we think their free range grazing was supplemented with is about 18% protein. They still free range all day, and only go to the hen house if they want to and to lay eggs. Most of them roost in the fruit trees at night.
Anyone have any ideas as to what might be going on? We are at a loss to figure it out. They show no signs of stress, no molting, no runny eyes, no diarrhea, or any other apparent health issues. The rest of our birds are laying like always.
Thanks
