significant egg production drop off

[cbourbeau32]

I looked through several post related to this and didn't find anything that covered all my possibilities.
We have 23 or 24 hens and were up until about two-three weeks ago getting 18-20 eggs per day. Now we're down to 11 or 12 (13 is a good day). Eggs are smaller also.

I will list the things that may have (or may not have) affected the reduction in production.

1) Grass is completely green (they seem to prefer it to their 20% layer pellets).
2) Weather has been up and down a lot with lots of cloudy days.
3) Sold off a half dozen hens that I wanted to get rid of (Not a part of original egg count).
4) Neighbor's dog dug under the fence and killed two hens.

That is about all I can think of.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks, Charlie

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Grass is not a reliable feed to ensure egg production.

Cloudy weather can depress egg production

Selling off surplus hens can create stress in a flock especially running down and catching hens who prefer that they not be caught.

Dogs, hawks, owls, foxes, mink, weasels, coons, coyotes, and every other predator that you can list will result in a drop in egg production in reverse proportions to how much stress that these 'beautiful' 'amazing' predators put your hens under.

 

[1 acre willows]

I had a few of these problems was still getting 7 or 8 eggs when it was -20 out, one the same kind of weather hit it dropped off to steady 4. Eggs were becoming noticeably smaller, ended up having to start feeding fryer feed. The 16 or 18% in the layer feed wasnt enough. I mix their scratch feed that I give them in the morning and evening as a treat with that fryer feed to help get them to eat it and think it's a treat.

 

[cbourbeau32]

Grass is not a reliable feed to ensure egg production. What would a good solution be? I free range so they head out to eat grass every morning. They do have free choice food for the first few hours before the get let out (and all day in the coop).

Cloudy weather can depress egg production

Selling off surplus hens can create stress in a flock especially running down and catching hens who prefer that they not be caught. Actually I catch them while they are the roost and the really don't put up much of a fuss.

Dogs, hawks, owls, foxes, mink, weasels, coons, coyotes, and every other predator that you can list will result in a drop in egg production in reverse proportions to how much stress that these 'beautiful' 'amazing' predators put your hens under.

I suspected that the dog attack might have played into it. How long will it take for them to recover?

 

[Kiki]

Get a fecal done on some fresh poop.

 

[cbourbeau32]

Get a fecal done on some fresh poop.

What could it be and where do I get that done? My local vet? Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

What could it be and where do I get that done? My local vet? Thanks!

Yes...call your local vet and ask if they will test some poop for worms. If your vet says no then your state vet will do it. I'll post a link to your state vet if you tell me what state you are in.

 

[cbourbeau32]

Yes...call your local vet and ask if they will test some poop for worms. If your vet says no then your state vet will do it. I'll post a link to your state vet if you tell me what state you are in.

Oklahoma......Thanks!

 

[Beer can]

3) Sold off a half dozen hens that I wanted to get rid of (Not a part of original egg count).

Anytime I've even just taken one bird out of the flock, or even added one, I see a significant drop in eggs for a little while after. Change the coop or run, same thing. Kinda odd, the eggs are already in them, would've laid them if there wasn't a change, some of the hens must just put their egg machine in pause Lol.
I've heard adding cayenne pepper to their feed stimulates them to lay, never tried it. I figure extreme cases maybe
Bhut jolokia aka ghost pepper, or Carolina reapers might be needed.

 

[aart]

They could have hidden nests too.