Mix flock no one is laying

[Katemcnew]

This is my second year of back yard chickens and we have run into a bit of a problem. We keep 5 ducks(3 female,2 male), (4)2 year old hens and (6) 9 month old bantam hens all together and I’m only getting one chicken egg a day!
The chickens roost in their coop and the ducks have a little house inside the shared run. We provide dry food, of which we have switched brands a couple times hoping it was the feed.they all free range throughout the daytime in our property with lots of vegetation and access to water.
Does anyone have any suggestions on things we can try? I used to get 4-5 eggs a day from the older birds and have gotten none from the younger. Help!!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!

What exactly do you feed them and where about in the world do you live?

 

[NoodlesMama]

If you live somewhere that is heading into winter the season change may be the reason for your lack of eggs. As the days get shorter and colder they can stop laying or lay less. Some people add a light that turns on very early in the morning and stays on until sun up this can trick the hens into thinking the days are longer and get them laying again. I haven’t tried it personally but I’ve read some articles on it on here.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Are your older girls molting? That can cause them to take a break from laying as well.

 

[Katemcnew]

We were feeding them tractor supply layer pellets twice a day and let them roam free all day. We switched to a calcium fortified Purina brand and still free range them.

 

[Katemcnew]

Are your older girls molting? That can cause them to take a break from laying as well.

One of them is! I didn’t think of that.

 

[chrissynemetz]

You might also look around the area where they free range for a hidden stash of eggs. I have one particular pullet who is AMAZING at hiding her nest spots lol

 

[aart]

Older birds are molting and/or just stopped laying due to short days.
Younger birds may not have started laying yet?

Here's some tips on how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Oh, and...Welcome to BYC! @Katemcnew
Where in this world are you located?
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[Skippersnh]

when my birds free range they hide the eggs