ideas on upping egg production

[GopherBoyFarms]

Ju-
I just sent you a PM

 

[Heather J]

You might also consider the time of year. A month ago I was averaging 4-5 eggs a day from my seven birds, and now it's like two--and one bird is still putting out five a week, so the others are really slacking off! I think mostly it's the darkness, then there's the fact that most of them are regrowing feathers, and there are far too many cockerels (still too young to process, and the second coop isn't finished yet) which adds insanity and stress. there could be lots of reasons that you aren't getting the eggs you expect. I know I was feeding scratch as the main food until I learned better and the egg laying increased pretty fast when I switched to layer rations, so that's a good first step.

Also, if you need the eggs, you can put a light in the coop set to come on at four or so in the morning, and that can trick their systems into thinking it's summer and lay more eggs. Some people do this as a matter of course, others prefer to let their girls have a break during the winter. I'll probably add a light once the extra birds are thinned out one way or another, and their feathers all appear to be grown back in as both of these can stress out the bird's body. Good luck!

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

we are also thinking of a little extra hours maybe one of light since the flock is now going into bed at 7:00 rather then the summer time 8:30. But so far we have more eggs then we can eat or sell!!!
Arent chicken GREAT!!!!

 

[JUROBBINS]

i will try the light in the coop as well. thanks ya'll for the good advice. 2 of my girls feathers arejust coming back in-and that is one of the eggs i'm getting now. the other is a small dk brown egg-so maybe that's from one of the cochins-? i do love chickens-i wish we would have gotten braver sooner, feel like we got a late start on them, but we'll be fine for now, til spring. i long for the days of too many eggs-i think

may end up eating those words-as well as eggs for 3 meals a day, lol! i hope to trade mine or sell around our tiny village. i would love to have so many i could just give away one carton if you buy one...big dreams here huh!?
ok, done rambling, thanks again all!!

 

[JUROBBINS]

thanks to many of you who helped me in this issue. thanks tiff! we added a light yesterday-the past two days have been a bit gloomy outside. i switched to the pellets that day and have since had 2 eggs more days than not, and this morning 'baby princess' was laying in the roost-so i'm assuming she is starting too!!! anyhoo-thanks!

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

Oh Ju I am soooo excitted for you...looks like the girls are getting it going now!!
~~~sending good egg vibes your way~~~~~

btw, we have a pip in our gopher-bator today...I really hope the little fuzzy makes it!!!

 

[LynneP]

So...how are things with the girls?