My girls have stopped laying

[Yemimah]

try feeding them cayenne and their feed one teaspoon per bird for the next 2 days only what will consume within a day

 

[alexa009]

That is how my girls were too. They were producing a lot when they first started laying eggs but once they hit about a year their egg production had stopped. I had 5 hens and was getting 4 or 5 a day, now its only one egg and sometimes none!

 

[aart]

I was using a chick feed because I also have 5 pullets that are 10 weeks old but when I learned that wasn't the best for the hens I switched

So you're still feeding a chick feed just not medicated now?

 

[smorris2]

No, now I'm using a layer feed from our local feed store

 

[aart]

Quote:

No, now I'm using a layer feed from our local feed store

Ah...well... that's probably significant drop in protein(check the tags sewn into bottom of both bags for protein percentage).
They may adjust, but it will take time.
Better that the 10 wk old pullets do not eat the level of calcium in most layer feeds(3-4%)....
......plus they need more protein to continue to grow most effectively.

 

[gadus]

This happened to me recently, perhaps the result of a cold, wet weather spell here in the Northeast. My 18 birds had been producing 12-16 eggs daily and this dropped to 7-10 for 4-5 days.

I transitioned to fermented feed over a month ago so I could rule this out. Also, I have never bothered to give them oyster shell as I assumed they were able to pick up grit from free-ranging (perhaps something I need to re-examine).

 

[SunHwaKwon]

This happened to me recently, perhaps the result of a cold, wet weather spell here in the Northeast. My 18 birds had been producing 12-16 eggs daily and this dropped to 7-10 for 4-5 days. 

I transitioned to fermented feed over a month ago so I could rule this out. Also, I have never bothered to give them oyster shell as I assumed they were able to pick up grit from free-ranging (perhaps something I need to re-examine).

Grit and oyster shell are two different things. The first is to aid in digestion by grinding the food. The second is to be absorbed for calcium. I don't necessarily need to put down oyster shell since my driveway is crushed clamshell, but I do anyway. It's cheap enough insurance. 50# for $10 at TSC has lasted me almost a year so far and the bag is still 1/3 full.

 

[gadus]

Quite correct. My error in conflation.

 

[smorris2]

Is a 16% protein feed good enough

 

[junebuggena]

Is a 16% protein feed good enough

It's got just barely enough for egg production. If you give any treats, extras, or free range you can reduce to overall protein intake to the point were eggs can no longer be produced. Some breeds, like Easter Eggers, just need a higher protein feed. If your girls were laying well on a higher protein feed, ditch the layer and stick with the protein level that works.