Not laying eggs

[ktdeluxe]

Since we had the deep freeze in December (?), my egg production fell dramatically. We have 11 chickens who are about 20 months old. Until the fall molt, we got 10 to 11 eggs per day. After the freeze, we got 1 per day. That has risen slowly to 5 or 6 a day. We have tried almost everything we can think of, including adding sprouts to their diet during the winter. Some of the chickens look like they are in molt...their feathers are wild. We have no idea what we are doing wrong! Can anyone help, please?

 

[member 373180]

Mine only just started ramping up again last week. I think the days have to get longer for a while before they respond.
Do you have a few hours of light in the coop before/after dark to extend the day for them?

 

[ktdeluxe]

Bless you! I think you have hit on my problem. With all the worries about my Mother's declining health, I had forgotten that light plays such a large role in their laying habits. I will remedy that tonight! I am also going to change the laying food. My husband made a substitution that I was unaware of and he has not spent the time I did when our Ladies first began laying. I am going to go back to the organic layer feed that I had used last year (just found out about the change last night! I just love men when they change things, knowing little about what they are doing!). These changes should make all the difference. Thank you for wading in and helping me!

 

[member 373180]

No worries. Since you mention food, mine started producing much better and seem healthier since I put them on a high protein feed (Rockin rooster from southern states, 20% protein).
I choose to give oyster shell on the side instead of feeding layer feed because I have a mixed flock and usually at least one is molting or broody so not laying.

 

[ktdeluxe]

I discovered my husband had replaced the food for the Ladies without consulting me as to what I thought their requirements are. I have ordered new food. I am surprised that some of the Ladies do indeed seem to be molting to a small extent. I thought that was supposed to happen in the fall but remember that my Buff Orpington molted all winter. I am ignorant in that area, it seems. You have been a great help and I thank you again! It is nice being back involved with the darlings. My distraction was longer than I had realized. No wonder things got out of hand! lol