Lack of laying, lighter yolks

[Sierradavette]

I have 15 ladies, 5 over a year and 10 in their first laying season. My usual 10-12 eggs a day has dwindled to 2-5.

I had been feeding All Flock due to the rooster, but put out Layer feed this week to see if that makes a difference, but previous I hadn’t changed food. I haven’t added new chickens. Nobody has been attacked. I’ve not found a mite or lice. No worms in the poop. They are in a larger run, but there’s no hidden egg nests any where.

It’s been hot, but not as hot as it was when they were previously laying. 90% of the run is under shade trees for the greater part of the day, and they don’t miss out on direct sunlight.

The lighter yolks are what’s throwing me off. Troubleshooting chickens is hard! Any thoughts?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The lighter yolks are not a cause for concern. Darker yolks are caused by diet, if they eat certain pigments those show up in yolk color. If they eat certain flowers like marigolds or dandelions, dark green plants, or maybe certain treats. Were they eating any green stuff in that run? I don't know what has changed as far as them eating pigment but something has.

Different things can cause a significant drop in production. One is the molt. They can molt at different times for different reasons. Are you seeing a bunch of feathers flying around?

I know you said no hidden nests. Those are a common cause for production to seem to drop.

Is something getting the eggs? Many critters that eat eggs leave signs behind, eggshells or wet spots. Some do not though. I don't know where you are located so I don't know what potential egg eating predators you have. Here in Louisiana USA the most likely to eat eggs without leaving a trace are snakes, canines, and humans.

Yours does not sound like a snake. That's too many eggs plus a snake will eat a few eggs and then disappear for a couple of days while it digests before coming back for more. If it is consistent it is not a snake.

Many canines would be more interested in your chickens than the eggs but does a dog have access? A dog might eat eggs but not bother the hens. Still, that is a lot of eggs for a dog.

Could it be a human. Often that is a family member instead of a stranger.

Diseases can cause them to stop laying but if they are acting normal and not sick it is unlikely to be a disease.

I don't know how long your production has been down. Sometimes something happens to cause them to stop laying for a while but usually that's over pretty quickly.

I don't know what is going on. Could be many things or a combination of things. Good luck on figuring it out.

 

[Mrs. K]

Heat will slow mine down, especially this time of year, when they are kind of thinking of slowing down anyway. That or a hidden nest...often times hidden in a place you either don't think they can get to, and they can, or a place where you don't expect them to be.

Go down with a book and coffee, or your phone and just sit and wait. If they are laying you will find it.

Mrs K

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have 15 ladies, 5 over a year and 10 in their first laying season. My usual 10-12 eggs a day has dwindled to 2-5.

I had been feeding All Flock due to the rooster, but put out Layer feed this week to see if that makes a difference, but previous I hadn’t changed food. I haven’t added new chickens. Nobody has been attacked. I’ve not found a mite or lice. No worms in the poop. They are in a larger run, but there’s no hidden egg nests any where.

It’s been hot, but not as hot as it was when they were previously laying. 90% of the run is under shade trees for the greater part of the day, and they don’t miss out on direct sunlight.

The lighter yolks are what’s throwing me off. Troubleshooting chickens is hard! Any thoughts?

Just to be sure: were you providing calcium sources (oyster and egg shell), since you had them on all flock. Just making sure, because you probably would have seen shell-less eggs, not zero, if they were short on calcium.