meat spots and low numbers

frankenchick

Crowing
18 Years
Apr 20, 2007
675
32
366
Benton Twp., Michigan
One of my customers reported that she was getting a lot of eggs with meat spots in them. Makes me wonder how many I'm getting like that. The other problem is that egg production is way down lately (6-8/day to 2-3/day).

My hens are all 3.5 y/o or 2.5 y/o; are they just getting old? Their legs and combs are kinda pale (I haven't checked their vents 'cause it's been really cold
ep.gif
).
 
Yup, those girls are past their prime. You may consider retiring the 3.5 y.o. hens. The 2.5. y.o. hens may have another 6 months of good production in them, but egg quality is going to continue to deteriorate at their age. I consider culling when the girls reach 3 y.o. because they spend more time not laying than laying and the egg quality starts slipping a bit- shells start getting thinner/funky looking, meat/blood spots become more prevalent, whites get thinner, etc.

The reason for your slow down is probably light related mostly, but certainly is age related as well. My nearly 4 y.o. hens (Yeah, I considered culling but I love these old biddies so I am stuck with them) have not laid any eggs since molting this fall. Fortunately, my flock has birds from all age groups, so I am still getting eggs despite their hiatus.

Good luck.
 

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