Poor egg lying?

[RR Chick]

Hi there, we have two Rhode Island Reds which are 3 1/2 years old, and three Asa Brown hens which are 2 1/2 years old. We get two eggs a day every day this is whether they are closed up in their pen or whether they have free range, so I don’t think they are hiding eggs. We live in Northern California the chickens look very healthy they all have nice red combs I think we should get a couple more eggs every now and then, but we don’t any thoughts? We feed Costco organic chicken feed. One has kind of thin shells but really they don’t seem interested in their oyster shell. So question is does two eggs a day seem normal?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hens generally have their best production in their first and second season. Production falls off by the third. Some are gradual and some are pretty drastic.

When they went through the fall molt did you switch to a higher protein during the molt. Not doing so can leave some birds deficient and will affect production. What protein is your ration?

 

[SueT]

I think it sounds normal for those age hens.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hens generally have their best production in their first and second season. Production falls off by the third. Some are gradual and some are pretty drastic.

When they went through the fall molt did you switch to a higher protein during the molt. Not doing so can leave some birds deficient and will affect production. What protein is your ration?

X2
Have you had them the whole time or did you get them as adults? If the latter, how long have you had them? What is the protein content of the ration you are feeding?
Sounds like your hens are producing as expected for their stage in life. I cycle my flock to take advantage of the first two laying cycles....replacing at least 1/2 of my birds annually and keeping none past the second cycle.

 

[RR Chick]

Hens generally have their best production in their first and second season. Production falls off by the third. Some are gradual and some are pretty drastic.

When they went through the fall molt did you switch to a higher protein during the molt. Not doing so can leave some birds deficient and will affect production. What protein is your ration?

 

[RR Chick]

We use Country Life Organic crumbles. It's 16% protien. When the hens were moulting I didn't change their food...I didn't realize we should do that. What is a good feed do you think?

 

[RR Chick]

X2
Have you had them the whole time or did you get them as adults? If the latter, how long have you had them? What is the protein content of the ration you are feeding?
Sounds like your hens are producing as expected for their stage in life. I cycle my flock to take advantage of the first two laying cycles....replacing at least 1/2 of my birds annually and keeping none past the second cycle.

Hi there, the RIReds are 31/2 years and the Asa Browns are 21/2 years old. We raised them since a day old. We use a 16% protein from Costco. Thanks!