Is this normal?

[Chickies4ever]

My 4 hens haven't been laying lately and i am starting to get worried. Could it be lack of food or water? Or something like it's to cold? Thanks in advance!

-Chickies4ever

 

[Den in Penn]

To little food and or water can stop them laying. Stress can also stop them. When they go into molt they slow down and usually stop. Just getting a little cold won't stop them. Did you change something, a different feed or new living quarters? What else has been going on around them lately?

 

[Chickies4ever]

To little food and or water can stop them laying. Stress can also stop them. When they go into molt they slow down and usually stop. Just getting a little cold won't stop them. Did you change something, a different feed or new living quarters? What else has been going on around them lately?

Well i got a new puppy so that might be stressing them. I feed them a normal amount for 4 hens, how much is too much or too little?

 

[Den in Penn]

LF eat between 1/4 and 1/3 pounds a day, that's the amount they should have for good production. A puppy might be stressing them. If they have a large area with some good hiding places they also may be laying out of the coop.

 

[Chickies4ever]

LF eat between 1/4 and 1/3 pounds a day, that's the amount they should have for good production. A puppy might be stressing them. If they have a large area with some good hiding places they also may be laying out of the coop.

No they don't have that many hiding places. I used to have a chicken that did that. It was like an easter egg hunt every day! Ok i don't think I feed them that much :/ I will give them a little more and measure it. And i will try and keep the dog away! Thank you!

 

[chickencrazy429]

Psst! Hayley, don't just feed your chickens once a day. Make sure that they have feed ALL day for them to pick at here and now again.

 

[realsis]

I agree! don't only feed once a day!! no need to measure it. give them free feed meaning fill the bowl so that food is present the ENTIRE day. my chickens are on the thin side and they get free feed and extra two meals of mash on top of it then get scratch and mealworms as a treat but I get eggs daily to every other day. my guess is they are not laying because of under feeding. hope this helps best wishes to you and God bless

 

[Chickies4ever]

Oh no I do do that ( thanks to chickencrazy429) she got me a feeder so they can have food all day. Trust me I knew that. I have had chickens for 6 years. :3

 

[Chickies4ever]

I agree! don't only feed once a day!! no need to measure it. give them free feed meaning fill the bowl so that food is present the ENTIRE day. my chickens are on the thin side and they get free feed and extra two meals of mash on top of it then get scratch and mealworms as a treat but I get eggs daily to every other day. my guess is they are not laying because of under feeding. hope this helps best wishes to you and God bless

Thank you <3

 

[chickencrazy429]

Oh no I do do that ( thanks to chickencrazy429) she got me a feeder so they can have food all day. Trust me I knew that. I have had chickens for 6 years. :3

Well before you did only feed them once a day...