Severe reduction in egg count - what diseases should I be looking for

[chickabator]

we are having the same problem, out of over 70 hens we are getting on average around 12-17 eggs a day. my barred rocks had not laid in over 3 weeks then day before yesterday we got 2 eggs from them. same yesterday. I found we have an egg eater in with the rhode island reds but dont know which one it is yet. the ameraucana's are molting, have no clue whats going on with the bc marans and delawares. out of the delawares we got 1 egg yesterday nothing for a week on the bc marans now last week 1 egg. we have upped their protein level, plenty of veggies, water, layer feed just no eggs. I think it has to do with the weather here, hot one day cool the next plus daylight time. who knows as long as they are healthy and happy, although I really cant afford to have slackers, feed cost too much here, 10.50 a bag for layer. and just to have them eat and eat and nothing in return, well dh said if they don't get lined out he is just going to get rid of all of them . and not have chickens anymore. so they have a month to pick up or he will get rid of them one way or another.

 

[BlueMoon]

I hear you Chickabator - my feed is over $20/50 lbs. They free range and get scraps and vegs, but it really adds up.

HinkJC, I'm thinking disease/sickness because production is below 10%. Even in the hottest days of August, there were more eggs.

A few chickens are wheezing, but so am I (lots of hay fever in these parts). Droppings look ok.

A sheep we were given, kept fat from the coop, had cocci, was treated, quarantined and now is close by, but none of that transpired long ago enough to prove the reasoning. A dead turkey was tested about two months ago and showed no cocci. It has been a rainy, cooler summer, but I'd think it would have showed up then if we had it.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have over 100 layers in just one flock and more than 15 breeding pens. No one is laying well now.
The laying flock free ranges and all are different ages with some being 3 years down to 5 months. Some are molting but most are just goofing off. I fuss at them every day but they shoot me a bird and go on their merry way.
It is just a change in the time of year and production will be back up in about a month. Don't be discouraged.

 

[purpletree23]

Nadine make a lot of sense. Maybe it is just a lull in production.

If I had this problem I would check for mites and lice. Any of the chickens look scraggley or have broken feathers? Next would be to put poultry vitamins in their water every other day for a few weeks and third I would check for rodents. Any rats or snakes stealing the eggs? Do you have any hens who are eating the eggs?

Just my 2 cents.