Laying Pattern disturbed by Cold Snap?

[Ted Brown]

My seven 27 week old pullets have given me 3 eggs per over the past two days. This followed:

1. steady 7 eggs per day for about a month
2. a sudden cold "invasion" (-6 to -8C days, -12 to -14C nights) lasting almost one week
3. variable 4-6 eggs per day starting perhaps middle of the cold snap
4. Return to normal temperatures, just above/below 0C.

I have been told that a sudden, big drop in production cam come about as a result of a "shock". And that a sudden cold snap could qualify as a shock.

FWIW No other out of the ordinary signs, eating/drinking "steady", all birds active,

Thanks

 

[aart]

And that a sudden cold snap could qualify as a shock.

Maybe not a 'shock'... but definitely a 'stressor'... which can affect laying.

My seven 27 week old pullets have given me 3 eggs per over the past two days

I wouldn't call 2 days a 'pattern'.
I'm assuming the temps are back to 0°C just for 2 days now.
Give it another week or so and see what happens.

Even high production pullets can be affected by the shorter days during their first winter.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Not unusual. We recently had a strong Nor'easter come through for two days solid. My 3 pullets and one hen that was still laying stopped for the three days after except I did get 2 eggs in that 3 day period. They are pretty much back to normal now.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree, give them a few more days and see if their production goes back up

 

[Ted Brown]

Past two days have produced 2 eggs each. Previously seven pullets start of laying October 1st, ~7 eggs per day for 3-4 weeks then an erratic decrease.

I obviously need to reset my expectations of egg per day per pullet. Of note are two events: a plunge from 0C to -12C(lower?) two weeks ago for a week; ran out of local mash (higher corn content, 16% protein) so change of diet for 4-5 days.

My priority at this point is to ensure the pullets are getting "what they need" I think they are). At the two extremes all seven will stop laying or they will go back to 7 eggs daily; more realistically I image is a reduced daily amount throughout the winter.

Any/all comments welcomed.

 

[aart]

I obviously need to reset my expectations of egg per day per pullet.

Yup.
Like Blooie used to say..."they ain't pez dispensers".

28 days until Solstice!

 

[Ted Brown]

Yup.
Like Blooie used to say..."they ain't pez dispensers".

28 days until Solstice!

December 22nd did go through my mind, I did not associate to laying pattern but, of course. And I assume just the start of the climb back to March or so?

I do not plan to add artificial light, will let nature rule.

 

[aart]

And I assume just the start of the climb back to March or so?

Yup!
Equinox in March.....summer solstice in June..then days start to shorten again.

 

[Ted Brown]

Sneaky Ladies

This morning I found 20 eggs in a back corner (under drop board, to left of nest box). Plus 1 in the nest, brings daily average back to 6 (tbc). DUH!

Nest box is about 4-6" off surface of 4" bed of mulch/straw. Guessing it will not be easy to get the ladies to move back to nest box?

 

[aart]

Sneaky Ladies

This morning I found 20 eggs in a back corner (under drop board, to left of nest box). Plus 1 in the nest, brings daily average back to 6 (tbc). DUH!

Nest box is about 4-6" off surface of 4" bed of mulch/straw. Guessing it will not be easy to get the ladies to move back to next box?

So there wasn't a slow down after all!?

Put a bucket or something where they were laying.