Laying egg -vs- Molting

[RobinZech]

I have five chickens and only get one egg a day. I understand that they won't lay when they are molting and I have an Americana that is molting again, this is the 2nd time in just a few months. I have noticed that 4 of the girls have had some neck feathers plucked out. It's easy to guess who the guilty one is.

I live in a very moderate climate, low-mid 70s nearly yr round and it cools down to mid 50's. They are fed layer feed with oyster shell and a few table leftovers. They are allowed to wander about in the yard during the day, but they stick pretty close to their pen area.

Could I be feeding them too much? Does anyone else seem to be having this issue? Three of them are 3 yrs old and the other two are 2 yrs. They used to lay at least three eggs a day, this is frustrating. I could use some suggestions.

 

[RobinZech]

I was told "by a expert", that my girls are pretty much done with laying. They're 2-3 yrs old. Really? And that I should just get new chickens.

Has anyone else found this to be true?

 

[Den in Penn]

Its tough to over feed a chicken that can range about. Can you feel the breast bone when you pick them up? At two to three years they no longer are spring chickens and do slow down on their laying by ten to twenty percent a year. So how important are their eggs to you? Also one or two may have a hidden nest.

 

[RobinZech]

Well, I did get two eggs today! The eggs are important only due to they taste so good and that's the whole point of having chickens, but they
have quickly become pets so even if they stop laying altogether, we'll be keeping them.

My RIR was ill for several months and I got some great advice on this forum and she is gaining and looks like she wants to lay again, I have
occasionaly found a smashed very thin shell egg and I believe it's her's.

About 2 months go my molting Americana did have a hidden nest, we found 7 beautiful green eggs, so I've been on the lookout for this too.
I guess this going to be a wait & see situation.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Their production does slow down after 3 years. I have several hens that are 3 1/2 - a couple are still laying great, though with the high heat we have been having (105 last week), others have quit laying or are laying very infrequently.

If you want eggs, but still want to keep your older hens, then add a few more young girls into the flock. (assuming you have the space)