My chickens wont lay!!!

[emilycox85]

I have 9 hens and 1 rooster. The rooster is a gamecock and the hens are just flea market chickens. I feed them scratch and laying pellets everyday along with oyster shells periodically. they get bread and they get to graze some during the day. The laid maybe 10 eggs all of 2015. They molted in the spring and have not laid any eggs since. I love having the chickens but if they dont start laying soon im going to be forced to sell and start over with a new batch. the summer before i was getting 6 to 8 eggs a day. None of the chickens are over 2 years old. i raised them all from chicks. Any suggestions of what i can do to get them going again??? Thanks in advanced!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you are feeding layer pellets, 16% protein, and scratch, around 8%, your chickens aren't getting enough protein in their diet to support laying, so switch to something with more protein and don't feed too much scratch. Otherwise the breeding and what breeds are behind your hens will be a big factor in egg production. Optimize their diet, if laying doesn't increase than it probably never will.

 

[azygous]

Where do you live? (Filling out your profile would be very helpful) If you're in the northern hemisphere, the days may be too short to stimulate the egg laying hormones. Also, your chickens may be molting. Laying falls off and may cease during molt.

Oyster shell needs to be offered free choice, not doled out periodically. Have a container full available at all times. Ration the scratch grain carefully. Too much can affect laying. The same goes for bread. Too much can cause crop issues, too.

Examine your coop and birds for parasites. Mites and lice can affect laying. Also check for worms.

My money is on short days and/or molting.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @emilycox85 !!
You've been given excellent advice so far.
More info for further help is needed.