- Nov 9, 2012
- 15
- 0
- 22
I purchased a small flock of about 1 1/2 years ago...3 Cinnamon Queens, a Black Star and a New Hampshire Red. When they started laying, they layed well. I had five hens and was getting, sometimes, 8 eggs a day. They layed like this for about a year. This spring, however, they slowed down to the point that, now, I'm getting only 2 eggs a day. I've had a rooster the whole time, but have kept him separated. I introduced him to the flock by during the spring and that's when production started to fall. I thought they'd get used to him, but it's been 6 months now and still no improvement in production. I'm pretty sure it's not a molt since the decline has gone on so long. I keep them supplied with lots of clean water and I feed them a mix of chicken laying pellets and game bird laying pellets (20% protein). I also throw in a handful of wild bird feed every now and then as a little dessert. Every few days, I let them out of the pen to free range.
They all appear to be healthy and there doesn't seem to be any real stress. I think I'm feeding them well and keeping them watered. The only thing I can think could be the problem is the rooster. He is pretty aggressive.
Does anyone have any ideas? I really need these girls to lay...we've had to start buying eggs again.
They all appear to be healthy and there doesn't seem to be any real stress. I think I'm feeding them well and keeping them watered. The only thing I can think could be the problem is the rooster. He is pretty aggressive.
Does anyone have any ideas? I really need these girls to lay...we've had to start buying eggs again.