Laying Questions

[marbekschicks]

What do you do with chickens that are like 3 yrs old that don't lay or lay sporadically? I have 2 buff orps that haven't laid at all for several months. I also have 3 silkie/cochins and 1 silkie that lay 1-3 eggs a week between them. Hubby thinks we should eat them, but I say they are too old to attempt that. Besides that, they are like my pets. Hubby says we can't be feeding that many chickens that aren't laying. My 2 that are 1-1/2 yrs old are laying fine, like 2 eggs 5+ days a week.

They have Purina layer crumbles mixed with layer mash available to eat at all times. I also have containers for grit and oyster shell available at all times. Their water is available at all times and is fresh every other day.

 

[drohan]

Have you wormed them lately? It could be that they are carrying a worm load and might begin to lay more regularly if you worm them. I have a few that aren't laying right now, or they are hiding them from me! Not sure which, but I plan on worming the flock now that the chicks are old enough.
You are right! Those hens are too old to eat! They won't be good to cook until they are really old! I could never eat my chickens either.

 

[marbekschicks]

Have you wormed them lately? It could be that they are carrying a worm load and might begin to lay more regularly if you worm them. I have a few that aren't laying right now, or they are hiding them from me! Not sure which, but I plan on worming the flock now that the chicks are old enough.
You are right! Those hens are too old to eat! They won't be good to cook until they are really old! I could never eat my chickens either.

I never even thought of worms being the problem since the younger ones are laying fine. I haven't wormed since who knows when

I thought older chickens taking longer to adjust and get back into cycle after cold, shorter light hours and little to no outside time. Thank you! I will have to do that. I know my chickens love me, they run to the fence every time they hear me, even though they only get treats every couple of days. I feel the same about my chickens as I do my cats and dogs, even thought they are outside, they are still a part of my family. I thank them every time I get their beautiful, yummy eggs, and my hubby thinks I'm crazy lol!

 

[onebigglo1]

You're not crazy, I thank mine too. Mine have also slowed on their laying. I get 8-10 eggs a day from 19 hens.
The problem with mine is I don't how old they are exactly because I bought the flock as adults.

 

[Coop de Grille]

They are not too old to eat if you put them in a crock pot or stew them in a pot for a few hours.

 

[Ashburnham]

Try a little bit more light - a light bulb on a timer to give them a longer day- often brings them back to lay quickly.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My oldest girls are over 3 years old now, and while they aren't laying as strong as they used to, they are still laying decently. (about 4 a week)

I'd probably worm the flock and check for lice/mites. Any of those can cause laying issues, especially in an older chicken.