Should I be finding more?

[APDoxies]

We have 9 "laying hens" all around 1 1/2 - 2 years old and 3-4 new laying hens (around 6 months old), we find from 2-5 eggs per day in the coop. I look around their yard & have only found one, one time. Do you think they're laying them out in the yard & the others are eating them? Should I be getting more?
The 9 layers are: 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 5 (what appear to be) Blue Orphington/Araucana mixes, & 2 Barred ?? mixes. The younger hens are: 1 Partridge Cochin, 1 Black Cochin, 1 Buff Orphinton & 1 White Rock.
Thanks!

 

[Happy Chooks]

The 1 1/2 - 2 year olds are probably starting their molts. Are you seeing lots of feathers around? They don't lay eggs while molting. Your 6 month old girls should be still laying, although it won't be as heavy with the shorter days.

 

[APDoxies]

I haven't noticed any extra feathers in the coop or any missing off of my girls. Perhaps they will be losing them soon?

 

[Happy Chooks]

What about around the yard? Look at their tails and their necks - it may not be real obvious yet, sometimes you have to look really closely. Also pay attention to when they shake off, if you see feathers falling off of them, they are molting.

 

[APDoxies]

I haven't noticed those things yet - I will pay attention more closely over the next couple of days.