no eggs....no roosting....

[roosterlou]

I have 20 hens - 1 1/2 years old, white leghorns and easter eggers (and a rooster). The hens were great egg layers until about 6 weeks ago when egg production tapered and finally stopped. I have a light on in the coop for 14 hours daily just like last year. They are not having watery poops, have perhaps lost some feathers but ?I don't know how many feathers are lost when they molt.

Today I went in to feed them and they were all sitting on the floor, having 'dug' little nests in the wood chips on the floor . Most got up and came over to see me but some just stayed in their trenches. Is this normal behavior??? They didn't do it last year and I have never had chickens before. Help!

 

[tackyrama]

What are you feeding them? I just had a problem with two on mine acting droopy and stumbly. It seems they were not getting enough or any of the right food. I have a mixed flock of meat birds with about 2/3 being buff orpingtons which are not aggressive enough to even feed themselves. With that and a corn diet without going out the coop for several days was enough to almost starve one of them.

I was told by BYC member to change diet to more protein. That and hand feeding one with boiled egg and polyvisol for two days brought him back from near dead. The one was so sick he could hardly walk and his head was hanfingf down. He finally got so he couldn't walk. Don't know if this helps but it sounds like you may have same problem.

 

[CarlaRiggs]

Tackyrama ~
Just took a look at your coop; I'm so impressed!

The barn/coop is fantastic, as is the story of how it was made. That's a terrific amount of work you've accomplished. How satisfying this must be.
Your grandchildren are adorable.... and seem to be enjoying the loft and hanging with Grandpa quite a bit. Nothing compares to making memories with children, is there?

Carla

 

[ole-crone]

I would say it is normal. We have some that lay in the winter and some that don't. Some like to get out and about, others like to stay inside and dig around in the woodchips.

 

[tackyrama]

Quote:
Thank you so much for the kind words. Yes it was a lot of work but very satisfying. The kids love it so it was all worthwhile. It would have been easier without the loft but it was for the grandkids to have in their memories. The coop is working out way better than I ever hoped. The chickens are happy and healthy (for the most part) I have been heating it up for them on the coldest nights with the wood stove. Thanks again, Stan

By the way ~ BEAUTIFUL QUILTS!

 

[Chicken Woman]

Are you supplimenting a few xtra hours of light each day ?

Meal worms are a good source of protien this time a year when they cant get any bugs. I also feed meat scraps , sunflower seed (wild bird kind)and crockpot yogurt to increase protein.

 

[Chicken Woman]

Have they been wormed ?