List of egglaying factors

[Tommy12241]

They are all pure bred rhode island reds except four of them. Three are production reds and one is a white auracana. (ill never figure out how to spell that ) Theyre all just over a year old (in age not laying time) and they are fed layer crumbles. I used to mix corn in with it until about a week ago when someone told me it messes their diet up. So for about three days now theyve been on strait layer crumbles. Ive gotten three eggs today already! I also added apple cider vinager into their water yesterday because I heard its good for laying and helps kill worms.

 

[Tommy12241]

Also I stumbled upon some plastic eggs that look VERY real. So i put two in each box to maybe encourage them to lay in there.

 

[Tommy12241]

Lol my brahman discovered that they werent real though. She grabbed one by a little bit of plastic handing off and ran around with it as the whole flock chased

 

[DebbieParker]

can we use regular vinegar or does it have to be acv? also how much scratch per bird? Thanks!

 

[DebbieParker]

I agree with free ranging. Mine have a coop with an attached, enclosed run. But I let them out into our fenced in back yard daily so they are happy and laying every day or almost every day! I have easter eggers, so I don't know how their production compares to your breed, but free ranging makes them really happy. They love me going out to spend time wit them, feeding them treats such as as scratch, bread, fruit, etc. hope that helps!

 

[Tartannik]

I heard that Ceyanne pepper in their feed helps?? I put Poultry spice in my chickens feed, especially when they have been moulting, which they are doing now!

 

[BeccaOH]

This time of year a drop in production could also be from:
- molting - when they shed old feathers for new before winter sets in.
- mites/lice - warm, humid weather brings on the bugs that irritate the birds. A good time to clean out the coop before winter. Dust each bird with appropriate poultry dust.

 

[snowflake]

ACV is apple cider vinegar, Braggs is supposed to be better cause it has "mother" (?) still in it. it also is very $$$. I use regular ACV as it helps keep the water from getting so much algi, ( the sides of the dish or water do not get slimy. my birds are down in their egg laying but are getting old,,,, at 1 1/2 yours should be laying very good, sounds like you are doing every thing wright? if they don't get out is it possible for something to get in and get the eggs? coon, rats???you may also have to check for parasites. A vet will do a fecal check or at least some will....Good luck

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

can we use regular vinegar or does it have to be acv? also how much scratch per bird? Thanks!

ACV is better. I put 2 tablespoons per gallon of water.

 

[popsicle]

I'd switch them to pellets, I've read that there is a chance they don't get a balanced diet with crumbles if the ingredients stratify or they only eat what they like. Also, making sure they have grit (either supplemented or in their run substrate) to properly digest their feed so they get all the nutrition from what they eat.

It's also important to rule out egg eating--either from the chickens or an outside predator.