My flock of 30 have almost completely stopped laying

[Crs1]

my flock is of all different age ranges from 4 years to 1 yo and different breeds
we are going to rotate out as soon as the 35 chicks of different breeds we bought are old enough
we have never really had it where they were abundant layers.
I realize that my older ones could be done but we were getting 12-15 eggs aday and for the past 3-4 weeks 2-3.
the weather has been a variety of cold a little snowy and now it’s in the 60’s.
I do have I think 1 or 2 of the younger ones who are molting and the rest look good. Eating drinking and being chickens except one of the older ones she seems to be Acting a little off
i feed gamebird 20% and supplement with oyster shell and egg shells
is there anything I need to look for or any explanations why this is happening
thank you
Connie

 

[Friendly_Lurker]

The older ones are not done yet. I knew a guy who would buy seven year olds cheap and fed them specific grains they’d start laying again and he’d sell them for lots more. Then the guy he was buying them from found out and refused to sell him any more. I have four year olds too.

 

[aart]

Do you free range?
Do you use supplemental lighting?

I would think after 4 years you'd know the cycle of fall molting and winter breaks. Days are getting longer, but older birds might be slower to resume laying after winter break.

 

[Crs1]

I free range only on occasion and sometimes for only an hour. And yes I do use the lighting so that they will continue to lay eggs in the winter
but they haven’t ever shut off like this

 

[aart]

And yes I do use the lighting so that they will continue to lay eggs in the winter

How do you manage the lighting...dates and durations?

 

[Crs1]

What I do is to see when sunrise and sunset times are and set the timer to make sure the light turns on to give the chickens 14 hours of light. It is still going on. I start the end of October with lights

 

[50-45-1]

No evidence of egg eating?

 

[Crs1]

None

 

[50-45-1]

has there been any changes in their routine lately or something tramatic like a preditor nosing around?
The removal of a flock mate, or something strange in their enviroment.
i understand things like this can stress birds and hault laying sometimes.

 

[BGcoop]

I hope you find a cause because mine are doing the same thing!!! I have 13 layers and was averaging 8 eggs a day all through winter, and even had a pullet lay her first egg dec 20th or so. suddenly as the days are getting longer I am down to about 3 eggs per day!!!