New layers

[Penelope59]

I have 5 young hens that are laying. Did not molt because of age, but I understand they will next fall. I was getting an egg a day from all 5. The past week, it’s only been 3 a day. All 5 are very healthy and happy. Is this typical with new layers? Could it be because we are getting less daylight? I’m a new chicken mom and still learning. Any clues?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Less daylight is a likely culprit, assuming no other changes.

 

[Penelope59]

Less daylight is a likely culprit, assuming no other changes.

I do a wellness check every day and spend time with them. They’re all thriving. I guess less daylight is a real thing!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I do a wellness check every day and spend time with them. They’re all thriving. I guess less daylight is a real thing!

It really is. Once you get past the initially irregularity of new layers working the kinks out of their plumbing, I've found them to be very steady. How much light levels affect them seems to (this is only my third year, so this is anecdotal) affect them more each year. In the past couple weeks, I've dropped from 20+ eggs per day (with 33 layers) to just 8 eggs per day on average.

My flock is in my sig, the breeds listed are all entering their third year, and some (the Brahma and SLW) aren't frequent layers even under the best of circumstances. The mutts are a mix of the breeds and some "other" from a mixed Roo, so their rate of lay is... uncertain. Thus the 20+ from 33 mature hens during better times.

 

[Penelope59]

It really is. Once you get past the initially irregularity of new layers working the kinks out of their plumbing, I've found them to be very steady. How much light levels affect them seems to (this is only my third year, so this is anecdotal) affect them more each year. In the past couple weeks, I've dropped from 20+ eggs per day (with 33 layers) to just 8 eggs per day on average.

My flock is in my sig, the breeds listed are all entering their third year, and some (the Brahma and SLW) aren't frequent layers even under the best of circumstances. The mutts are a mix of the breeds and some "other" from a mixed Roo, so their rate of lay is... uncertain. Thus the 20+ from 33 mature hens during better times.

Thank you for your insights! I figured it was the less daylight. You really did have a significant drop in egg production. Hopefully, your girls will get back on track soon!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you for your insights! I figured it was the less daylight. You really did have a significant drop in egg production. Hopefully, your girls will get back on track soon!

Honestly, some are going to freezer camp. The production red hybrid types (my Comets) are known for precipitous drops in egg production as they age, as well as a significant increase in health (particularly reproductive health) issues as the years go by. They'd be gone already, but there was other genetics I wanted to remove first (still are) in my culling project, so the others keep getting the knife.

As soon as I have a flat of eggs for the neighbors, and a dozen for myself, I'm setting a new incubation, but there will be a cull this weekend.