Recuperating Chickens

[jacrawford1]

Hello, Question: We have a flock of 11 chickens. About 2 weeks ago they started "coughing" but they had no other symptoms other than lower egg production. We kept an eye on them, made a few changes and they are now all back to normal. No coughing at all. Their appetites never decreased either. However...we have no eggs! We got one yesterday. We were getting at least 9 before they got sick. How long will it take for egg production to resume? Will it resume? Is there something we can do to help that along? Thanks so much!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

About 2 weeks ago they started "coughing" but they had no other symptoms other than lower egg production.

Hi @jacrawford1 Welcome To BYC

How long have you had these chickens?
Have they ever been sick before?
How old are they?
What type of food/treats do you feed?

You mention you "made a few changes and all are back to normal" What were those changes?

I'm not an expert, nor a vet, so I can only take a guess that the coughing was due to respiratory illness, which would impact egg production.
It's hard to know when, after recovery, that they would begin laying eggs again. Each chicken is different and a lot depends on the cause of illness.

 

[jacrawford1]

Hi @jacrawford1 Welcome To BYC

How long have you had these chickens?
Have they ever been sick before?
How old are they?
What type of food/treats do you feed?

You mention you "made a few changes and all are back to normal" What were those changes?

I'm not an expert, nor a vet, so I can only take a guess that the coughing was due to respiratory illness, which would impact egg production.
It's hard to know when, after recovery, that they would begin laying eggs again. Each chicken is different and a lot depends on the cause of illness.

Some of the chickens are older, like 3 years, others are about 1 year. They have never been sick before. We use a feed made by a local mill and produce (organic and washed) from our trimmings.

The weather here has been very cold and wet. We didn't realize under the straw and wood chips the ground had gotten saturated. We cleaned both areas well and let it dry out. We let the chickens out into the yard more often. They have two areas for roosting, a fenced in yard and then also our yard and fields to roam.

I am thinking the cough may have been caused by the wet straw in the one coop. Just hoping egg production picks up because 1-3 eggs a day for 11 chickens isn't a great ratio!! Thanks so much for replying!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The weather here has been very cold and wet. We didn't realize under the straw and wood chips the ground had gotten saturated. We cleaned both areas well and let it dry out.

I am thinking the cough may have been caused by the wet straw in the one coop.

If the straw was moldy then that definitely could have caused the coughing, so it's good that you have that taken care of. Respiratory ailments can cause a decrease in production as can vitamin/nutritional deficiencies.

If you are not already doing so, provide your flock with oyster shell free choice for added calcium. They may also benefit from some poultry vitamins added to their water once a week.

You mention they free range - any chance they are laying eggs somewhere else instead of the nesting boxes. You could confine them for several days to coop/run just to see if you collect more eggs.

 

[jacrawford1]

They have oyster shell and I did confine them! At least I know I am on the right track!! Thanks so much for your help!