How Is It That...?

[The Wolf Queen]

I have 5 silkie hens to 1 rooster and I'm only getting an egg a day? All of the hens are over 6 months, their in a chicken coop that has one open wall, a timed UV light that turns on for a couple of hours every morning, a heat lamp at night, and 24/7 water and food that contains 22% protein or what ever it is that helps them lay. What the heck is up with them???

 

[Bring]

Try turning off the lights.

 

[Tala]

Why are you using lights and heat lamps on 6 month old birds in NewMexico???

 

[The Wolf Queen]

My birds are way over 6 months, and the heat lights are on at night because it still gets cold at night where I am, oh and the UV is in that pen from about 2 till sunrise because the 3 non open walls block out the natural UV rays from the sun. Oops I also forgot to mention that I have the same set up in my other laying pen and I'm getting like 20 eggs a day or more so im pretty much

.

 

[silkiechick05]

ONE of my silkies just started laying a week ago and she was born at the beginning of September.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
I guess I'm still puzzled as to why they need a heat lamp? How cold is it really getting at night??

Mine only got a mere 75watter to knock off the frostbite when the windchills were in the -10 to -15*F last winter, and I have a 1-walled coop (rest is fence & tarp when it was windy). Chickens are a whole lot more cold-tolerant than they are heat-tolerant.

If you are having such good success out of your other coop though, perhaps you have an egg eater in this coop??

 

[The Wolf Queen]

But see mine are probably almost over a year except one that I'm positive is over a year. But still. I was getting 2 eggs and now I'm only getting the one. Frustration I has it

. What the heck are they doing all day???
ETA: Nope I definetly dont have an egg eater. Ive never found sticky nests or even the smallest peice of shell. They just refuse to earn their keep.