m3shelly
Chirping
History: I have 2 light brahmas that are 1.5 years old, and 2 that are about 30 weeks old.
The days are getting shorter, so I added light to their coop to add a couple hours in the am and pm.
About 1.5 months ago, the little ones started laying small, funky shaped eggs, as normal. Then, after only a couple small eggs from them, the older gals started to molt, and all egg production stopped.
I'm feeding them all layers food, from Fleet Farm (Wisconsin's version of WalMart for farm and pet supplies). They get a side of oyster shells, fresh water, and get to free range our huge yard when I'm home before dark (1-2 times/week, and most of the weekend).
I'm wondering if the molting of the older gals is affecting the young ones. I didn't have issues last fall, when just the older ones existed and not molting, with the false light and food from same store (not sure if it's the same brand). They actually produced quite well over the entire winter.
I'm also wondering if the quality of food may make the difference. Fleet Farm sells a lot of chicken feed, runs, etc, but over this last summer I got a large bag of layers feed from our local farm co-op, which *might* be higher quality (not sure though).
Only other change this year relative to last is the addition of a new Boston Terrier puppy. All birds were accustomed to our old Boston, who rarely bothered them, but the puppy tends to chase them every so often to try and play. We're working on that since it's too rough. No injuries, but we don't like it.
Any suggestions from experienced owners would be appreciated.
Thanks.
The days are getting shorter, so I added light to their coop to add a couple hours in the am and pm.
About 1.5 months ago, the little ones started laying small, funky shaped eggs, as normal. Then, after only a couple small eggs from them, the older gals started to molt, and all egg production stopped.
I'm feeding them all layers food, from Fleet Farm (Wisconsin's version of WalMart for farm and pet supplies). They get a side of oyster shells, fresh water, and get to free range our huge yard when I'm home before dark (1-2 times/week, and most of the weekend).
I'm wondering if the molting of the older gals is affecting the young ones. I didn't have issues last fall, when just the older ones existed and not molting, with the false light and food from same store (not sure if it's the same brand). They actually produced quite well over the entire winter.
I'm also wondering if the quality of food may make the difference. Fleet Farm sells a lot of chicken feed, runs, etc, but over this last summer I got a large bag of layers feed from our local farm co-op, which *might* be higher quality (not sure though).
Only other change this year relative to last is the addition of a new Boston Terrier puppy. All birds were accustomed to our old Boston, who rarely bothered them, but the puppy tends to chase them every so often to try and play. We're working on that since it's too rough. No injuries, but we don't like it.
Any suggestions from experienced owners would be appreciated.
Thanks.