Hens won't lay

[housefullo'roosters]

I have 20 10 month old Golden Buffs, 1 older RR & 1 older Red Sex Link. We should be up to our eyeballs in eggs by now! I only get 2 , rarely 3,eggs a day. They have 3 nest boxes in a house enclosed on three sides and a large run. I feed 16% pellets and weeds and scraps from my garden. Any ideas what else to do?

 

[JessaLynn]

When did you start them on layer feed? Have you ever got an egg from your 10 month olds?

 

[housefullo'roosters]

They've been on layer feed for over 2 months. I figure the third egg had to have come from one of the new girls - but it doesn't happen very often.

 

[Mahonri]

It may be too warm?

 

[TammyTX]

I'd be checking for snakes.

 

[housefullo'roosters]

It's been up to 90 here lately but they have a shady run. Snakes are possible but it would take a lot of snakes to eat what they should be producing in a day. I'm thinking about trying some high protein goodies like sunflower seeds to see if that helps.

 

[kdcrws]

I've got 6 girls and we've only been getting 2 or three eggs a day. It's the heat here that's doing it here I think. We had had four days over 100 degrees.

 

[TammyTX]

Heat....don't get me started.

I only have one EE'r that is laying (20 wks old Saturday) and she gives one egg every-other-day. But she's just starting to lay.

It's been 105/106 here lately and over 100 for many days; she is still producing.

 

[TexasVet]

I guess I'm lucky... I usually get 17-18 eggs a day, and I'm still gettting close to a dozen. That's pretty remarkable, considering the high heat we've been having in this part of Texas.

That said, I must admit that the bantams are the best layers. My "big egg" birds are only laying every couple of days.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[Maryallison]

I bet ya it is the heat. My girls are on strike too.....broody & no eggs here!