loss in egg production

[Bohica214]

I have a question, I have 60 chickens 2 peacocks, 2 white breasted turkeys and 4 peking ducks... I used to get 30 or more eggs a day now less than 15- i was feeding straight up 17% protein pellets from tractor supply then I cut 2 bags of pellets with 1 50 bag cracked corn and 1 wheat- is that why the loss in egg production ? should i just use the corn & wheat for "scratch feed" and pellets for food ?

 

[Den in Penn]

The change of feed to a lower protein may cause a drop. With a fifty percent drop I would look at other things as well, Did they get stressed by something, visitations by a predator, change in the flock, maybe going into molt. But I would hold the grain for a scratch feed to start.

 

[Jim Shar]

I have had the same problem, except no change in feed.No predators or any of that. I haven't given grit in forever. Do I need to do that? I even added Oyster shell the other day, but the feed I am giving them claims it has enough. Any other suggestions? I did let the roosters & gunieas back in with the hens, think that could be causing a problem?

 

[Chris09]

I have a question, I have 60 chickens 2 peacocks, 2 white breasted turkeys and 4 peking ducks... I used to get 30 or more eggs a day now less than 15- i was feeding straight up 17% protein pellets from tractor supply then I cut 2 bags of pellets with 1 50 bag cracked corn and 1 wheat- is that why the loss in egg production ? should i just use the corn & wheat for "scratch feed" and pellets for food ?

By adding the corn and wheat your dropping the protein down to about 14%, way to low for laying birds.

If your going to continue to feed a lower protein feed (below 18% protein) I would cut out all the treats including corn and wheat.

 

[Den in Penn]

I have had the same problem, except no change in feed.No predators or any of that. I haven't given grit in forever. Do I need to do that? I even added Oyster shell the other day, but the feed I am giving them claims it has enough. Any other suggestions? I did let the roosters & gunieas back in with the hens, think that could be causing a problem?

Welcome to BYC.
Reintroducing the roosters and guineas could definitely cause a disruption in their laying. Also remember this is the time of year they molt and production will drop due to that.

 

[Jim Shar]

so would you separate them again? It has been almost 2 months since I put them together again. Maybe it is the molt, just has been frustrating. I usually get better production even in the winter. I haven't changed the feed or the amount of it, so I doubt that is the problem. Maybe I should add some grit?

 

[pdirt]

so would you separate them again? It has been almost 2 months since I put them together again. Maybe it is the molt, just has been frustrating. I usually get better production even in the winter. I haven't changed the feed or the amount of it, so I doubt that is the problem. Maybe I should add some grit?

Grit won't make them lay eggs, but if they don't free range and you don't give them grit, it could cause digestive problems over time and the digestive stress could disrupt egg laying. They need grit if they are locked up in any sort of pen, cage, run or coop. Ours get grit all winter long but not in summer because they free range.

When did they last molt? Like the other person said, that is certainly a possibility this time of year.

Also perhaps, it might have taken some time (almost 2 months as you said) of stress with the roosters and guineas to make them stressed enough to stop laying. I don't know. Sometimes it's the things that take a while to build up (months or years) that can leave ya scratching your head. Nutritional deficiencies could be like that. And depending on your flock, it can usually be a good idea to have oyster shell available even if they are eating layer feed. Some birds don't seem to get enough from the feed and a little extra on the side can help.