Not laying. What are your experiences with buff orps?

[Mountain Peeps]

Hi all!

I have two 2 year old buff orp hens. They have quit laying. One of them has just finished molting for the 4th time this year. In your experiences, do buff orps slow way down on their second year?

 

[tcstoehr]

Four molts in one year? That would seem to be an indication of a larger problem. And I wouldn't expect eggs out that bird if she's molting so often. If the other one came from the same source, I would consider the possibility that you got some poor stock.

 

[DaveOmak]

Your feed may be low in protein... and lighting may be a problem....

Without ALL the information.... everything is a guess....

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Your feed may be low in protein... and lighting may be a problem....

Without ALL the information.... everything is a guess....

They have light. I'm feeding them a 16% layer feed nature wise brand. They have water.

 

[DaveOmak]

Do they have Granite Grit, Oyster Shells, is the light on so they have 15-16 hours of light... and to stop the molt, add more protein to their diet...

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Do they have Granite Grit, Oyster Shells, is the light on so they have 15-16 hours of light... and to stop the molt, add more protein to their diet...

They have grit and eggshells. They get about 12 hours of light a day so that might be it. Also, would dirty water have something to do with it? They water gets some muddy stuff in it occasionally.

 

[DaveOmak]

They have grit and eggshells. They get about 12 hours of light a day so that might be it. Also, would dirty water have something to do with it? They water gets some muddy stuff in it occasionally.

Only give them water you would drink.... and up the light to 15 ish. hours/ day... My light timer is set to 9 hours after legal sunset.... viewed on a chart... Sunset, 7:30.... lights on at 4:30 AM... and off at 10 AM... It is best to let natural dimming sunset occur..

 

[DaveOmak]

Got my first egg.... Lights were installed 16 day ago... 15-16 hours of "daylight" in the coop and run... That's not "pure proof" the lighting using "daylight" bulbs is the cause, but..... worked for me....