Slacking hens

[krista stites]

I have19 hens and 1 rooster. I get one egg every three to four days. I have Rhode island Reds, black stars, and whyndotts. Can someone help me? They just aren't laying

 

[Pork Pie]

Could they be laying outside the coop somewhere? It might be worth having a hunt around your property if they free range.

 

[krista stites]

They aren't

Could they be laying outside the coop somewhere? It might be worth having a hunt around your property if they free range.

free range

 

[User395221]

How old are they? Are they moulting? Where do they live? Is it possible that somebody else (rats or birds) are stealing eggs?

 

[aart]

Welcome (back) to BYC @krista stites!

Knowing how old your birds are and where you live on this earth would help.
If they are 14-20 months old and you live in the northern hemisphere,
they are probably molting.
Other aspects like how big the coop is, what you are feeding could also lend clues.

 

[krista stites]

How old are they? Are they moulting? Where do they live? Is it possible that somebody else (rats or birds) are stealing eggs?

Some are molting I think. They are two years old. They live in a coop in our back yard. Don't believe anything has been getting in with there. There is no holes or anyplace for them to get in.

Welcome (back) to BYC @krista stites!

Knowing how old your birds are and where you live on this earth would help.
If they are 14-20 months old and you live in the northern hemisphere,
they are probably molting.
Other aspects like how big the coop is, what you are feeding could also lend clues.

 

[krista stites]

They are about two years old. I live in Kentucky.

 

[User395221]

Some are molting I think.

They stop laying when they are moulting.

 

[krista stites]

How long does the molting last?

 

[User395221]

http://www.thechickentractor.com.au/moulting-the-how-when-and-why/
I really don't know - this suggests it can be somewhere between 3 months and 7(!) months