My 4 mature 18-month old hens are not laying consistently. Could it be the feed or heat?

[Flixflaxnoob]

As others have written it might be a few things. Our first hens, began to molt when they were about 18 months, late Sept/mid Oct. This year I am prepared to up their protein mid Sept.

Our new and almost layers will not molt until Oct '26 and usually lay in the winter their first year. This is why I want some chicks each spring. Though coops are full, I will probably get 2-4 pullets next spring. It keeps the eggs coming.

Do you know the difference in the ingredients/protein% etc in the new feed?

I have the new feed ingredients but not the old to compare. The new feed is 16% protein.

 

[C Siena]

I have the new feed ingredients but not the old to compare. The new feed is 16% protein.

We fed only 16% layer (when we did not have chicks) for almost 2 years and they did well. When I gave treats (fruits/veggies) I would give meat treats a couple of times a week (tuna fish rinsed, leftovers meats).

Chickens are not partial to change be it feed, new chickens in the coop, to high temps. Maybe try to add some protein and make a note on when you begin to see if you have a difference in 7-10 days. Maybe also note the daily temps. I have a calendar for just chicken stuff.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

…Maybe try to add some protein and make a note on when you begin to see if you have a difference in 7-10 days. Maybe also note the daily temps. I have a calendar for just chicken stuff.

Is this an ole skool calendar, where you write on it, or an app or similar electronic calendar?

I need to start taking better notes. At the moment, I have to check my posting history here to see when something happened!

 

[C Siena]

Is this an ole skool calendar, where you write on it, or an app or similar electronic calendar?

I need to start taking better notes. At the moment, I have to check my posting history here to see when something happened!

I have two paper calendars. One is for chickens and dog. I mark how many eggs each day, and tiny new ones separately. I'll note if one is cracked or has a thin shell and who laid it (when I get to the nest box in time to Know). I have their age, in weeks for the young pullets. It's old school and works for me.

I prefer when on this site and post, to use the keyboard and a 24" monitor.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My plan is to eventually grow my flock to 12 (local maximum for my acreage). The hard part will be not getting them all at once to better stagger their ages.

Think of it as, you'll get to 12 eventually. I was adding chicks almost every other year until I finally reached my self imposed limit of 12 last year, with the flock staggered at 8, 6, 4 and 1 years old... and then 2 hens passed away. So technically I have space for chicks again though I'm struggling to use up the eggs I'm getting so looks like a 3 year stagger is better for me.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Talking of only 4 BLK AUS. They slowed to 1 a day then took 2 days off in 100F heat, 68 F now and already this AM 2.