No eggs,confused

[chickenfarmergal]

I've not been a big poster but I like to read. However I'm at a loss. I have 7 hens, unknown ages, I used to get 4-6 eggs a day. I was feeding Purina layena,little to no free range. Due to work I just wasn't able to get to the Tractor Supply to get food on a regular basis so I switched to Nutrena and we do at least 1 day a week free range,also our small feed mill offers a custom scratch food that has stuff like sunflower seeds,corn,oats,soybean, a variety of grains and sometimes I've even found a little cat food in there. I have been mixing it with the Nutrena 1 part scratch to 3 parts layer. Been doing this about 2 months. In the last month I am down to getting 1-2 eggs per day. On my days off I started checking the nesting boxes 2-3 times day to see if maybe I had a hen eating eggs. Nope. I am at a total loss as to what has happened. I'm in SC and the weather is still warm but not as hot as it was when they were laying good. Someone told me to give them some crushed dried red pepper flakes that it was supposed to be good for them and deworm. Any ideas from the long time owners. My husband wants me to add these to the menu and buy more but the reasoning as to why we're not getting eggs has me stumped

 

[imnukensc]

One of my older hens just went through a molt and quit laying for about 3 weeks so that may be one reason for your lower egg production. I would also quit mixing the scratch feed in with their regular feed. Give the scratch as an occasional treat.

 

[chickenfarmergal]

Thank you for the reply. I am no chicken expert for sure. I was told that the scratch mix with pellets helped increase egg production, is that not correct.

 

[imnukensc]

No, it is not correct. The layer pellets is all they really need. Scratch doesn't have all the nutritional requirements that a good layer feed provides.

 

[dalasgalas]

My hens go on strike when the seasons change here in Austin. It's more about the position of the sun I think, rather than the actual temperature.

They don't like laying eggs in rainy weather either, but hey, who does right?

 

[Coykoi]

Unknown age could be a factor. Chickens have their highest production in their first couple of years, then start to slow down and eventually stop. Molting can also be a factor, and the time of year is another. I agree with the previous poster, scratch is good for colder months but not particularly nutritious. I give my birds a scoop of scratch in the morning to help them warm up, but stop it during the summer. During molt the birds will put most of their bodies' reserves toward building new feathers and egg laying drops. A higher protein percentage is important this time of year. Feather fixer, or a pellet formulated for game birds is better for them than a layer blend. When the days grow shorter they slow down or stop laying as well.

 

[PirateGirl]

Even though it's warm, your days are getting shorter. You are down to 11 hours 45 minutes of daylight, a full hour shorter than exactly a month ago. Production will naturally be slowing. I found this great site and you can slide the bar along the graph to see your daylight (and other things) for any day of the year.

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/columbia

 

[PirateGirl]

Also most people will say 10% treats (scratch being a treat) and if you are feeding 1 part scratch to 3 parts feed then you are at 25% treats (2.5 times the recommend amount).

 

[chickenfarmergal]

WOW thanks so much for the information. I'm going to hit the store tomorrow and see about some additional protein for them. I had a long time farmer say feed'em cheap cat food for protein but I'm not sure that would actually be of benefit for a chicken or am I wrong.

 

[PirateGirl]

WOW thanks so much for the information. I'm going to hit the store tomorrow and see about some additional protein for them. I had a long time farmer say feed'em cheap cat food for protein but I'm not sure that would actually be of benefit for a chicken or am I wrong.

I've heard of people feeding cat food in a pinch or feeding cat food to show birds. It just might be lacking in other things chickens need even though it has lots of protein.