Not laying?

[CJ Morris]

Hi, my name is CJ Morris. I have 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Dominiques, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Americana (with beard), and 1 yellow rescue, all hens. We live in Florida and it’s been hot, but temps are nice and my girls are only giving me 3 eggs a day. I feed them a quality layer pellet, veggies and fruit, supplement with live crickets and treats from the farm store; they free range during the day and coop at night, fresh water always. So, what’s up? Why aren’t they laying, and what should I do?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello CJ, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
How old are your hens? Have they started molting?

 

[Blue Raptor]

Hi, my name is CJ Morris. I have 3 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Dominiques, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Americana (with beard), and 1 yellow rescue, all hens. We live in Florida and it’s been hot, but temps are nice and my girls are only giving me 3 eggs a day. I feed them a quality layer pellet, veggies and fruit, supplement with live crickets and treats from the farm store; they free range during the day and coop at night, fresh water always. So, what’s up? Why aren’t they laying, and what should I do?

Welcome to BYC!! Ditto on DobieLover’s post.

 

[Dr Evy]

Hi CJ! Welcome to BYC. We’re so glad you joined!
Good luck with your hens!

 

[sourland]

 

[Boppo]

Glad to meet you, CJ. Birds will slow production as they age, and also when they molt, and in the winter months as hours of light reduce. So, even in sunny Florida, you may have a reduction in production (ooh, nearly a rhyme), even if your ladies are not aging out into retirement years. That is what DobieLover's questions are pointing at.
Welcome to BYC! Bird nerds and lovers.

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!
With winter approaching most chickens stop laying from the decreased daylight.

 

[N F C]

Hi, since your flock free ranges, are you sure they don't have a hidden nest?

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, CJ.
Excellent answers from @DobieLover @SilverBirds and @N F C
Mine aren't laying well right now, but all of these apply to mine...tons of feathers in the yard from molting, a found nest with 16 eggs in it, and the sun is setting earlier and rising later.