NOt sure what I got

[chickenranchwife]

Hey everyone, I am just curious if anyone is loosing eggs? I have had a huge decrease in my egg production lately. Tomorrow I am going to keep them locked in to see if this helps. If it don't then it must either be a snake or a weasel. Anyone else having problems?

 

[RioLindoAz]

do you free range them???
They sometimes eat thier own eggs.
And also mine stoped laying for a while cause its a bit colder than usual (in the morning that is)

I hope you figure out how to get your eggs

 

[ella]

It's also the time of year when they're molting. That'll do it!

 

[justusnak]

I agree with Ella.....Mine are molting, and production is way down.

 

[DuckLady]

It is that time of year, I agree. I have a waiting list a mile long for eggs, but my 20 hens are giving me about 4 a day.

And NONE of the 19 ducks are laying at all.

 

[chickenranchwife]

Thanks everyone for your replies. At what age do they molt? Most of them I just bought this spring, and were laying really good. It could be the cooler weather, but am not sure. I left them locked up yesterday while I was at work, and yes they free range and have looked for eggs way out. Still not that many eggs, after being locked up. What are signs of molting? Thanks again everyone.

 

[Hellebore]

I thought they didn't molt until they were 18 months old? Is that correct?

 

[speckledhen]

Their first true molt is around the 18 month mark, but they go through several mini-molts before that. They are nothing like a true hard molt. That can be awful to see!

 

[SpottedCrow]

The first year a bird moults 3 times.
The first is down to baby feathers.
The next is baby feathers to teenage feathers.
The last is teenage feathers to adult feathers.
After that they only moult once a year.
Obelisk isn't laying because she's moulting.
I haven't seen Penny moult yet though...

 

[devora]

http://msucares.com/poultry/management/poultry_feathers.html