slacker chickens?

[cimarron]

we have 6 chickens who are about 11 months old. since they started laying five months ago, they were cranking out 5 or so eggs a day. even with record heat they still laid like crazy. but the last week or so it's down to 1 or 2. is this normal? these are our first chickens.

 

[Lensters]

Are they dropping feathers? It is about the time for the fall molt.

 

[goldielocks]

We put a timed light in the coop to come on at 5 am and our girls have picked up laying.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

The fall is a hard time for most animals. The days get shorter and about this time is gets pretty intense.

I can darn near take off about 5 min every day now to go put the birds up in the barn.

I feed the mares at 5 oclock most nights, cuase I know it will be dark about that time in the next 45 days. The mares need the grain cause they are all pregnant for the spring.

Also, start looking for OTHER places they may be laying if they free range. It is just something about the shorter days. I notice the roosters calling the hens in to barn earlier and earlier and they are hanging out more and more in the barn in the day time.

Also, think about increasing your feed. My feed bill gets pretty high during the fall and winter. The birds are less and less free ranging and more and more depending on what I provide. I start feeding wild game bird (26 percent) about now. It is close in price to layer and it gives the girls something they are not getting free ranging.

 

[cimarron]

thanks y'all.

wow rimshoes that blue guinea fowl is very striking! it looks like it's from australasia or something...where's it native to?

well the hens are not molting yet and we are pretty far south, latitude-wise. it's still light well into 7 o'clock hour here. but i think we all feel it in our bones, the season is changing! they don't free range but have a big outdoor run, a covered run and hen house.

we'll just have to make do for breakfast and baking with so few eggs. or maybe try the light timer.