Serious shut down in eggs

[jaxpax]

Hi everyone. I have a an issue with my hens. I have 17 and the majority of them are Buff Orpingtons with a few easter eggers and they are about 2.5 years old so not that old to have shut down so much. My issue is I get an average of 2 eggs per day. I haven't changed their diet recently the coop is clean, there is no stress and all the chickens are acting their normal selves. I feed them Dumor layer pellets with a small scoop of scratch grains in the morning. I cant think of anything else except; is it possible that the quality of the Dumor food has gone down (hope I dont sound like a conspiracy theorist)? We have all seen the recent trend with our own human food; getting less for more money. Do you think the food is more filler and less egg laying ingredients? Has anyone else noticed a decline in egg production using Dumor pellets? Thanks for your time.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would switch to a higher protein ration than a layer. Look for something 18-20% to optimize laying especially since you add scratch. Make sure to add a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

 

[Ebony Rose]

"Layer" feed is regular feed + calcium; don't think it's your feed. 2 eggs daily from 17 hens does sound like an issue, but... how cold is it where you are? How much light are they getting daily? They need 14 to 15 hours of good light daily for egg production. Are they molting? Have you checked for worms, lice, mites? Is anyone sneezing, coughing, shaking their head, rough breathing when not being held?

 

[Peppercorngal]

I'm having somewhat the same issue! I have 28 layers and only get 20 eggs per day. I told the girls "no more treats until production comes up". It actually went down for a week to 17 & 18, so I started a few (very few) snacks in again. (mostly dried mealworms) The most I've seen in the last month is 23 eggs. They get Dumor layer feed and lately, because of the chicks, are gobbling up the 20% chick food whenever they can get it. Can that be causing low production? I wouldn't think so, or wouldn't let them have it. They get no corn ever. What is going on? Where are you Jax? I'm in sunny California. Lots of light, warm weather too.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Chickens lay eggs every ~26 hours, could account for some of your tally

 

[janiedoe]

Are you certain there isn't a rat or snake getting to the eggs?
I have 5 hens in one coop that are around 2.5 yrs and they still give me 2 to 3 eggs a day. Mine are a buff orp., an Easter egger, a langshan (not laying sight now because she is brooding), a barred rock, and a wyandotte. I just can't see your hens slowing down that much.
I feed All Flock with calcium free choice.

 

[TwistedSteel]

Do your chickens free range every day? Just about every time i`ve noticed an unusual drop in egg production a hidden nest was discovered.

 

[noregerts]

Do your chickens free range every day? Just about every time i`ve noticed an unusual drop in egg production a hidden nest was discovered.

That's what I was going to say as well.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Have you previously gotten an egg per hen per day?
During my random research, I have discovered that not all breeds typically lay daily. Many breeds may only supply 4-5 eggs per week. Buff Orpington is said to produce roughly 190 eggs per year.
You may be counting the eggs before they...are laid.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Whoops. Scanned up and re read again. Two eggs per 17 hens is indeed a bit...low.
Might you have an egg eater of any species variety?
What's their daily routine/coop/free range look like?