RIR barely laying

[LovesAGoodYolk]

has anyone else ever had young RIR hens (13 months in my case) that just won't deliver the goods? they laid just fine last year, stopped over winter, and now lay very few egg or none at all. they are otherwise healthy and have an excellent diet. I am not having the same problem with the other breeds.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Breeding can have a lot to do with a hens production, so two hens of the same breed can be completely different in egg production. I find most hens lay pretty well for the first season.

The second season seems to separate the good from the poor layers in my experiences. The average to poor layers will take breaks and lay more sporadically than the first season.

It can help to feed a bit higher protein than the 16% of layer to optimize laying, 18-22% seems the best. Sometimes hens come out of the molt, and the winter a bit depleted and need a higher protein in their diet to continue production.

 

[aart]

has anyone else ever had young RIR hens (13 months in my case) that just won't deliver the goods? they laid just fine last year, stopped over winter, and now lay very few egg or none at all. they are otherwise healthy and have an excellent diet. I am not having the same problem with the other breeds.

Do you free range?

 

[LovesAGoodYolk]

No they aren't laying in the yard.