Recent loss in egg production.

[Kelly Baker]

I have 8 hens, aging 16-22 weeks. I was getting four eggs/day and now only 1 the last couple days. I've looked them over, they don't seem to have any illnesses, lice or mites. I've been feeding them an all flock feed (we have ducks and turkeys too) and they also free range. I just looked at the nutritional information and it only has 1.9 percent of calcium. Could this be the reason for loss in egg production? Would giving them oyster shells help? Thank you!

 

[Kelly Baker]

I guess it is a possibility that they are laying somewhere else. We have 9 acres, I've checked their usual spots but haven't seen any. And I've only heard the egg noise once a day.

 

[getaclue]

Flock feed is fine, but you need to offer free-choice calcium. Most of us use oyster shell for this. Yes, they could easily be hiding their eggs.

 

[Parront]

I have 8 hens, aging 16-22 weeks. I was getting four eggs/day and now only 1 the last couple days. I've looked them over, they don't seem to have any illnesses, lice or mites. I've been feeding them an all flock feed (we have ducks and turkeys too) and they also free range. I just looked at the nutritional information and it only has 1.9 percent of calcium. Could this be the reason for loss in egg production? Would giving them oyster shells help? Thank you!

4% is more the usual layer feed amount of calcium. Are you giving them oyster shell bits on the side in a separate dish? Are you giving them extra light? The days are getting shorter, layers need 14 hours of daylight.

 

[Molpet]

I have oyster shell available always.. I feed grower since I have chicks and turkeys... but w/9 acres they probably can find what they need... put a fake egg in nest boxes and if I find a nest not in a box I put a fake egg/golf ball.. otherwise they sometimes will just find a 'safer' spot that is harder to find..especally the turkeys

 

[Kelly Baker]

4% is more the usual layer feed amount of calcium. Are you giving them oyster shell bits on the side in a separate dish? Are you giving them extra light? The days are getting shorter, layers need 14 hours of daylight.

I have not been giving oyster shells, I will pick some up tomorrow though! I do not supplement their light.

 

[Parront]

I have not been giving oyster shells, I will pick some up tomorrow though! I do not supplement their light.

Days are getting shorter. They are very sensitive to decreasing light time, so if you can, add 15 min/week light in the morning. This is some great info on light from the University of Mane, they ought to know! https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2227e/

 

[Parront]

Pretty much all your hens are old enough for layer feed, some oyster shell on the side for the ones who might need more than the feed provides is good insurance. Just put it by the food dish, if they don't need it they won't eat it. The length of the day at this time of year is most likely the cause if you do not light the coop. Where are you, the latitude is the important factor in length of light.

 

[Kelly Baker]

Pretty much all your hens are old enough for layer feed, some oyster shell on the side for the ones who might need more than the feed provides is good insurance. Just put it by the food dish, if they don't need it they won't eat it. The length of the day at this time of year is most likely the cause if you do not light the coop. Where are you, the latitude is the important factor in length of light.

I'm in NY. I have all my chickens, ducks and turkeys together so that's why I was feeding them all flock. Can ducks and turkeys have layer feed?

 

[Parront]

I'm in NY. I have all my chickens, ducks and turkeys together so that's why I was feeding them all flock. Can ducks and turkeys have layer feed?

I have not raised turkeys. Ducks can eat layer pellets, they love them! The layer ducks need calcium, too. Males just have to lump it in my flock, LOL! If you have a lot of males, the grower feed, or maintenance feed, with oyster shell on the side for layers, might be what you want. Laying will slow down a lot with less light, look at that link above. That is probably what is reducing your egg production, I think. After the light is low enough for laying to stop, the problem is that it will not come back right away. They will go into a moult, and in the spring, begin to lay again.