over 100 chickens AND ONE SINGLE EGG A DAY ?

[spatcher]

Not doing you much good if the light is on in the daytime (if I read that right)!

 

[PortageGirl]

OK, is there ANY chance of predators? Something stealing eggs can disturb them all and interfere with laying, but again that’s a stretch especially with multiple houses. Also, I haven’t –ever- had any horrible cases of egg-eating hens, and those that did left signs.

All your other procedures seem reasonable, and you were getting a reasonable number of eggs from your regular layers… (though 2 eggs a day on a regular basis sounds extreme!

) The light all day may be only minimally helpful, but it keeps it constant for them, and midwest cloudy winter days are dreary... some say that doesn't matter, but with a timer set up, it's just as well. I suppose you could increase it on either morning or evening end a little... but I don't think it's the key.

I can tell that you know the older hens may be slower to start up again and likewise that you also know they won’t be one-a-day-ers, so that’s good. It really sounds like your 08 hatch might just be at the in between age right at the winter doldrums.. (I forgot to ask about moult too.) You have some decent types and one nice thing about a variety of birds is that this rarely happens cause there’s usually someone to pick up the slack.

They don’t sound the least crowded and I can’t think of anything you haven’t. I guess we need to wait for one of the gurus to pipe up, or for mother nature to show her might.

 

[msgenie516]

Hi,

Do they ALWAYS have food and water available? That many chickens eat A LOT of food! They need a certain amount of food to produce an egg. Just a thought! Genie

 

[Harley's girl]

I know how you feel. Really! But they will start to lay soon. I am now getting about 15-25 eggs a day. But a few short weeks ago I was getting. 1 if I was lucky but, most days.....ZERO! I have lights, laying pellets, waters with warm water in them, nesting boxes filled with bedding!! But no eggs. Then one day....there they were, 2 eggs, then another, then 3 more, then oh my!!!!! 25 eggs in one day!!!! They will start soon. Until then you could always threaten your girls with the stew pot!

 

[PortageGirl]

Harley's girl :

I know how you feel. Really! But they will start to lay soon. I am now getting about 15-25 eggs a day. But a few short weeks ago I was getting. 1 if I was lucky but, most days.....ZERO! I have lights, laying pellets, waters with warm water in them, nesting boxes filled with bedding!! But no eggs. Then one day....there they were, 2 eggs, then another, then 3 more, then oh my!!!!! 25 eggs in one day!!!! They will start soon. Until then you could always threaten your girls with the stew pot!

Oh my GOSH!!! That just brought back memories!!! When I was a kid, showing my clunky but much loved horse in 4H and nervous as a cat in a dog run, (which of course he knew and so he started sidestepping and acting the fool!!) I'd start softly saying "Alpo... Gravy Train... Gainsboro.... Elmer's Glue..." and of course, he heard my soft tone, and I started to laugh inside just a little, and relaxed, and we both did just fine.

Very sorry for the hi-jack LMeggs, and moderators too, but that memory just came flooding back to me 40+ years later when you said that about the stew pot!!!! Maybe it's an Ohio thing Harley's Girl!!!​

 

[Harley's girl]

Quote:
Oh my GOSH!!! That just brought back memories!!! When I was a kid, showing my clunky but much loved horse in 4H and nervous as a cat in a dog run, (which of course he knew and so he started sidestepping and acting the fool!!) I'd start softly saying "Alpo... Gravy Train... Gainsboro.... Elmer's Glue..." and of course, he heard my soft tone, and I started to laugh inside just a little, and relaxed, and we both did just fine.

Very sorry for the hi-jack LMeggs, and moderators too, but that memory just came flooding back to me 40+ years later when you said that about the stew pot!!!! Maybe it's an Ohio thing Harley's Girl!!!

I have also said... auction, butchering block, and freezer to them too! LOLOLOL

I wish I had thought to do that in my 4-H with my horse! LOL (It might be an Ohio thing!)

 

[sc-chick617]

Im not gettin any either. I am in South Carolina w/ day light between 6:45am to 6:10pm and 70 degree weather for the past week and not one egg with my 8 hens. I was fustrated during December, went to a friend who had one that was laying so many eggs, she was finding them in the middle of the yard with no nest. I got that hen, took her home and she laid two eggs the day after I got her and then one each for the next two days. Then NONE! Thats why I have got the idea its something I am doing. I have fresh water, plenty of food, clean nesting area w/ hay. Whats wrong, that she would lay with 25 degree nights and now with the lows in the 50s, nothing.

I just felt I would let you know I feel your pain.

Oh, p.s. they are RIRs and a white hen with black spots. They are between 8 mths and 1.5 years old.

~Elizabeth

 

[chookchick]

Do you non-eggers get your chickens any greens? (Like the "trim" from a grocery store, or grass clippings or weeds). Thought this might help trick them into thinking it is spring. My hens have been pretty consistent even though it is dark here and they have no supplemental light. I would be interested to know if this helps....

 

[3 sisters farm]

I have 3 separate pens, 2 giving me eggs, one more or less making me think of the stew pot....all same types of conditions, except a bit nicer in the cage not giving me eggs.

 

[chantecler]

I feel your pain!!

I was getting between 12-15 eggs a day up until 3 weeks ago. Now it's steadily declining and is at 6 eggs per day

I have sent a fecal away and will treat for worms and lice next week.
I have added vitamins to their water.... HOpefully things will improve soon.

Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

I was told by various people that it is normal - that they cycle like that.

Are they showing any other symptoms, coughs sniffles?
Is there something that could be stressing them?

You may want to send a fecal sample out to make sure you have gotten all potential worms.
You could add extra protein and some greens to their diet - kind of hard with 100 hens I guess.

Do you have poultry extension service in your state/province. Someone you could perhaps call and ask for input.

I'll be calling our Provincial poultry veterinarian specialist this week to ask for input - I'll let you know what I find out.

Anyhoo, I hope it gets better soon