NO eggs!

[Qi Chicken]

And yes, I read the sticky but still don't get it. We have 13 hens, 11 months old, mixed breeds. We were getting 8-10 eggs consistently all winter. We did use a red heat lamp when temps were below -20 at night. Probably 20 days total. As of a few weeks ago we are suddenly getting about 4 eggs a day. One broody. But no explanation for the others. They get Kent egglayer food. Plenty of water, BOSS. They are free ranging again but I don't think they are hiding them.

A few are laying on the floor of the coop. For awhile both BO were broody and very protective of 2 of the nests. We have 4 nest boxes.

We have a welsummer that used to lay beautiful dark eggs. Then we started getting half dark, half light eggs. Like something was wrong with her paint. We have not had any welsummer eggs for 2 weeks unless they are so light you can't tell the difference. There was one soft shelled egg on the floor the other day.

There are a few feathers on the floor of the coop. I wouldn't really say more than normal. They do look kind of scruffy. Occassionally a feather sticking out there or there. Many are missing feathers on their heads where the roo holds on.

I have never wormed them?!?!??!

HMMMMMMM. Let me know if you have any ideas I am confused and saddened!!!!

Thanks, Anne

 

[Yay Chicks!]

You said there was a soft shelled egg. I assume they are getting some supplimental calcium?

It seems the wrong time of year for a molt, but perhaps if they had heat during the winter, and now it's a cool spring...? I don't know...

Have you checked them for bugs?

You stated that they free range but you don't think they are hiding eggs. Is that because they are free ranging in a small enough space that you would find them easily? Can they get under any buildings?