Seems as if this may be self explanatory, but I will ask regardless.
We are experiencing excessive heat in Southeastern Pennsylvania; does egg production decrease with extreme heat? Today only 4 new eggs in nesting boxes we have over 24 laying hens. We used to get on average 16 eggs per day.
Here is part of my concern approximately 6 weeks ago I placed the flock on Wazine 17. I did not collect eggs for 3 weeks; naturally some hens became broody (8 hens to be exact) and with that said some also started to lay in the heavy underlying brushy areas of our property. Now we are parents to 13 more adorable barnyard mix chicks.
CHICKEN MATH!!!
7 born this past Easter, 13 born on Fathers Day and just about 2 weeks ago 13 more little chicks.
We still have 3 hens that are determined to remain broody. Like a crazy fool I placed one egg under each to get them to hatch hoping this will satisfy their broody tendency once the eggs hatch. My question is are my hens not producing eggs due to heat or did I potentially create a bad situation with hens hiding their eggs in the brush trying to go broody again. Im pretty sure I found all the hiding spots, but I could be wrong a raccoon or possum could be raiding the hiding spots at night. All the hens have been returning to the coop at dusk.
Im hoping my theory with the high heat is the correct answer?
We are experiencing excessive heat in Southeastern Pennsylvania; does egg production decrease with extreme heat? Today only 4 new eggs in nesting boxes we have over 24 laying hens. We used to get on average 16 eggs per day.
Here is part of my concern approximately 6 weeks ago I placed the flock on Wazine 17. I did not collect eggs for 3 weeks; naturally some hens became broody (8 hens to be exact) and with that said some also started to lay in the heavy underlying brushy areas of our property. Now we are parents to 13 more adorable barnyard mix chicks.
CHICKEN MATH!!!

7 born this past Easter, 13 born on Fathers Day and just about 2 weeks ago 13 more little chicks.
We still have 3 hens that are determined to remain broody. Like a crazy fool I placed one egg under each to get them to hatch hoping this will satisfy their broody tendency once the eggs hatch. My question is are my hens not producing eggs due to heat or did I potentially create a bad situation with hens hiding their eggs in the brush trying to go broody again. Im pretty sure I found all the hiding spots, but I could be wrong a raccoon or possum could be raiding the hiding spots at night. All the hens have been returning to the coop at dusk.
Im hoping my theory with the high heat is the correct answer?