Our little flock has seriously dropped off on egg production. We have 5 hens. 2 year old R.I. Red, 2 year old Buff Orpington, 1-1/2 year old Americauna, 1 year old Ancona, 1 year old Ideal 236. Currently, the Americauna and Ideal 236 are giving us about 5 eggs per week each. We have not had an egg from our 1 year old Ancona in almost two months after laying 3-4 a week until January. Our 2 year old R. I. Red went from 4-5 eggs a week to laying thin shelled eggs which often broke. Then we found her eating them. Now she is not laying any. Our 2 year old Buff Orpington went from 4-5 per week to zero gradually. I don't see any of them in a obvious molt and none are broody. We free range them the entire back yard from October to February. Then in March, when it is time to start preparing the garden, we restrict them to a 20x65 run. I have looked and I don't see any sign of them laying outside of the coop and no sign of eating eggs.
Diet is commercial pellet 16% layer feed. They get lots of grit and oyster shell. Lots of cottage cheese and yogurt, bananas, and green produce.
We did have them on 12 on/12 off with a full spectrum LED thru January. When we saw the thin shell eggs from our RI Red, we cut the light thinking let her get back on a natural cycle.
Would cutting the light and restricting them to a 20x65 foot run contribute to this? Or is it time to maybe cull a few and replace?
Any thoughts or comments welcome.
Thank you.
Diet is commercial pellet 16% layer feed. They get lots of grit and oyster shell. Lots of cottage cheese and yogurt, bananas, and green produce.
We did have them on 12 on/12 off with a full spectrum LED thru January. When we saw the thin shell eggs from our RI Red, we cut the light thinking let her get back on a natural cycle.
Would cutting the light and restricting them to a 20x65 foot run contribute to this? Or is it time to maybe cull a few and replace?
Any thoughts or comments welcome.
Thank you.