How much can bugs influence egg laying?

[brettzim]

I got nine hens from a neighbor about two months ago. We have only been getting 1-3 eggs a day even though they said they were getting 6-8. I figured it was the stress from the move but it's been long enough now for that to settle. I was dealing with a different issue and soaking one's rear end in warm water when I noticed bugs on her. They looked like lice. So I dusted everyone and the coop with a powder I bought at the local feed store. I am wondering if that could be what's holding up egg production. No one is real scruffy looking. Only two of them look like they were going through a light molt but all are healthy looking otherwise. I am just unsure if I got hoodwinked into taking in a flock of old birds or if there is a bigger reason they are so stingy with their egg laying. Thank you!

 

[HEChicken]

If they have mites or lice then yes, that could definitely affect laying. It takes a lot of energy to produce all those eggs so as soon as the hen is fighting any kind of stress or illness or parasite, there is no extra energy available to produce eggs.

Of course, it is also possible the hens are older and not laying as much or that your neighbor failed to mention that it was several years ago he was getting 6-8 eggs a day from them.

Another possibility is a hidden nest, if they have any access to free-range at all.

However since you have already discovered a parasitic pest, that is the best place to start. Once they are all treated, and you have eradicated the mites or lice, hopefully they will start laying more regularly for you.

 

[brettzim]

Thank you! I do think there is a good chance they are elderly. In which case they lucked out because I am a softy and not going to turn any into soup. But, one more question, I grew up on a horse farm and I know we worked our horses every few months. I have never worked chickens but I am wondering if they have bugs on the outside if it wouldn't be a bad idea to worm them in case they are fighting something internally as well? I appreciate your help.

 

[brettzim]

Whoops, auto correct got me there... I mean "wormed", not worked.

 

[HEChicken]

It definitely wouldn't hurt to worm them. There are plenty of people who worm on a regular schedule and others who never worm or who only worm when they see evidence that they need to.

One thing about worming is that if you do, you can't eat the eggs for a withdrawal period (that varies according to the wormer) after dosing.