NEED SOME HELP! EGG COUNT IS EXTREMELY LOW

[zionjudah]

I have thirty one laying hens, Buffs and RIR, that started laying in early February and for the first 5 1/2 months produced two or more dozen a day and now have dropped off to a dozen. I do have a few broody hens (3) but beyond that nothing has really changed. I have them in a poultry netting and a coup on wheels and they love it. Im not moving it quite as much as before because there is more grass ect. but beyond that nothing has changed.
We gave them some cheyenne pepper and that didn't seem to help either. Anyone know what might be happening to my layers?
Im in Middle Georgia.

 

[IrishAcreFarm]

If you don't suspect any illness, I would guess they are having trouble with heat!

 

[zionjudah]

any suggestions on helping them beat the heat? That could be it, its been hot and we have had a ton of rain lately. one of the hens was giving swimming lessons a few days ago.

 

[IrishAcreFarm]

My girls were having trouble with the heat also, and what I started doing was offering lots of cool treats, and it seem to have helped. ( frozen grapes, blueberries, and I have been offering watermelon alot too!) Hopefully they will get back to work

 

[zionjudah]

good idea. If i had thought about it, they are in a pecan orchard and putting them under the trees more could help a lot. if anyone else has any ideas, home rememdies etc. im open