North Carolina

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Good morning folks

It does seem like it's hatching season already but I guess
it is.......someone needs to get the memo to the hens.

Some of the pullets are thinking about starting to lay and
a few of the older hens are laying an egg now and then
but the Marans haven't even hinted at laying. I think only
one of the Lavender Ameraucanas are laying and a Sumatra
has started back up. Those roos had better be in the mood too.

hope everyone has a good day

 

[johanssonmel]

Never met a roo that wasn't in the mood....

 

[Chicken Hound]

Morning All

I am now getting concerned, my 2 youngest have been giving me an egg a day since they started to lay this summer until this past weekend then nothing.

Some of the older girls had started to lay after there molt. For about a week I had been getting 3-4 eggs a day, I was getting excited then nothing.

Why would such a regular layer stop like that?
Why did the older girls stop again?

Was it something I did? Is there something I can do?
I am still learning but this does not match with my limited experience. My first year hens laid thru the winter last year. I don't add light to the coop but do have a yard light like a street light.

They all look and act fine, nothing is different in there world, any ideas?

 

[johanssonmel]

Anything possibly frightening them? Barking dogs, predators prowling around the outside of the coop at night?

 

[Chicken Hound]

True I have been watching for any difference the only thing I have been able to notice is the weather/temp, cold snap. The girls are very used to the dogs and the dogs keep all but the mice away.

 

[crazyhen]

The first yr. the hens will lay through. The next yr. they will take a winter break from laying and they may lay sporadically. Summer comes and they a bit less than last yr. As they age they will probably lay a bit less each yr. Thats the reason some people replace after about three yrs. I don't. I love my old ladies. They do lay in the summer but seem to lay less each yr. Now this seems to worse after about 3 yrs with the heavy layers than the allpurpose type. I have a mixed bunch and add about three hens each yr, unless I decide to breed that yr. PS notice that I have left out words , sigh had cataract surgery and don't have good glasses yet.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

I have been getting zero to three eggs a day since Thanksgiving-ish. For the last week, it's jumped to 5-8 eggs a day. Yesterday I got nine! A new record! Hopefully the rest of the girls will kick back up soon. Then I have fifty four month old pullets coming along. All production birds, so can't wait for them to get in gear.

Enjoy the day. I have a meeting at 2:00. On a Friday afternoon. On the Friday of a three day weekend. Who sets meeting times like that? Grrr.

 

[crazyhen]

I have been getting zero to three eggs a day since Thanksgiving-ish. For the last week, it's jumped to 5-8 eggs a day. Yesterday I got nine! A new record! Hopefully the rest of the girls will kick back up soon. Then I have fifty four month old pullets coming along. All production birds, so can't wait for them to get in gear.

Enjoy the day. I have a meeting at 2:00. On a Friday afternoon. On the Friday of a three day weekend. Who sets meeting times like that? Grrr.

You must teach. It sounds about right. What we do to our teachers is insane. My daughter is one.
My hens may lay 6or 7 one day and then not lay but one or two for a wk. Older hens are sporadic.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Quote: You are astute. And Friday afternoon was the only time that fit in all our schedules for the whole bloomin' week! So I am at work getting a few other things done before the meeting. I could have been working from home today! In the sun! With chickens!

 

[crazyhen]

hugs to you.