Inconsistent Egg Laying - Slacker Chickens?

[DAT]

Hi Everyone,

I have another beginner question. I have Rhode Island Reds, 7 of them. I understand that in the winter they lay fewer eggs than in the summer, but I have a light in the coop so that they get 14-15 hours of light every day.

Over the last three months, I've noticed that some days I get two eggs, some days I get six eggs, some days I get zero eggs, and so on. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong to lead to such inconsistent egg-laying rates - my understanding is that RRRs are supposed to be pretty consistently good layers.

I fee them organic layer pellets, 17% protein (Morrison's, made in VT where I live). They have clean water, grit, and they get a little scratch tossed on the straw under the roost to get them to mix the poop into the straw.

They were hatched on June 12 2007, so they're a little under two years old.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[kycklingar!]

Any chance you have an egg thief? Like a snake, raccoon, or dog?

 

[DAT]

I think that's unlikely. The coop is very sturdy. Once the doors are closed at night, there are no openings at all that are bigger than the 4" vent holes, and those are a) tightly covered with hardward cloth, and b) eight feet above the ground.

Also, the coop is located close enough to the house that I hear if there's any commotion - and the only commotion I've ever heard has been the result of the usual chicken politics.

Once in a great while I'll find an egg directly under the roost, like somebody just couldn't wait or something - otherwise I've never found any eggs except in the egg box.