Low egg production..Why?

[LJ33]

I have 6 yearlings from last year who all lay very regularly (1 BR, 2 BO's, 2 Legghorns 7 1 Wyandotte). Even in the winter I get 4-6 eggs a day.

I have 9 "little" who were hatched in Feb/March this year (mix of BO's, Legghorns, BR, RIR and sexlinks). I know for sure at least 1 leghorn and 1 other from this years group have laid some eggs. (1st one 2 weeks ago, and have 6-8 total since)

However, my older girls are only laying 2-3 a day, if that.

Someone suggested that they slowed down bc I integrated the little's with them. I did that about 6 weeks ago, and they didnt' have too much problem getting along,. They kind of stay in their own clique's , but some do integrate or "hang out" among the different age groups.

They live in a barn, not just a coop. Its pretty big, has 3 10x10 rooms w a long hallway that joins them. I kept the pullets separate in one room for almost 2 months before letting everyone mingle.

I have 3 nesting boxes and have only found 2 of the littles eggs not in a box.

Lastly, they do get yard time a few hours a day (usually in the evening after I get home from work). I Have checked all around my property and haven't found any (bushes, etc).


sooo, is it true that egg laying will slow down after integrating the pullets w my hens? What else should I be looking at or doing?

thanks!

 

[Percheron chick]

I never see a big drop off when adding pullets.
. How hot has it been?

 

[LJ33]

I never see a big drop off when adding pullets.
. How hot has it been?

not hot at all really. One of the most mild summers I have seen here. We had one week in the high 90's, that was June 20-24, but before and since anywhere from 60's/70's. Including rain storms here and there.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hens lay the most during early spring than production drops off as the season progresses, especially in your dual purpose breeds. The lighter egg laying breeds tend to keep laying while the heavier Orpingtons and rocks will lay less often. Any changes will halt laying and it can take a bit for them to resume. Usually production picks back up in the fall for a while before they quit to molt. Hens younger than a year won't molt and will continue to lay. Production will slow again during winter and pick up again in the spring.

 

[Gray Farms]

Any disruption in the flock can disrupt egg production. Also are they molting? This will also effect egg production.

 

[LJ33]

Hens lay the most during early spring than production drops off as the season progresses, especially in your dual purpose breeds. The lighter egg laying breeds tend to keep laying while the heavier Orpingtons and rocks will lay less often. Any changes will halt laying and it can take a bit for them to resume. Usually production picks back up in the fall for a while before they quit to molt. Hens younger than a year won't molt and will continue to lay. Production will slow again during winter and pick up again in the spring.

ok thank you , that actually does make sense.

 

[LJ33]

Any disruption in the flock can disrupt egg production. Also are they molting? This will also effect egg production.

not molting yet.