Slow on eggs; molt?

[corinnep27]

I have 13 of laying age, who have laid before, and I am getting maybe 2 eggs a day. All 5 of my black ones came from a farm, and came looking rough. Had they molted? They do have new feathers coming in, but I didn't know of their appearance was from the rooster they were with and conditions they lived in? We at most get 4 eggs a day now, and that is rare. Today was 1 all is well with food, no predators, easy life!

 

[cstronks]

The birds are most likely in a molt. The typical molting age is around 18 months, however something can cause them to molt earlier. I've had birds molt at 9 to 10 months. The birds also look kind of ratty. New feathers and low egg production are a clear sign of molt. If the rooster was rough with them they should still lay. I have a few orpingtons molting now. Age is really key in determining whether they are molting, but based off of the facts and pictures, I believe that the birds are molting. Just have to wait it out until you get more eggs!

 

[iwiw60]

How long have you had the hens? And what are you feeding them?

 

[corinnep27]

How long have you had the hens? And what are you feeding them?

I have had my two buff orph for 4 months and they always laid one every other day. Got the 5 black orph 2 months ago and they are all on 16% layer feed. I started fermented feed about two days ago. (Also have 6, 19 week old pullets, not laying yet).

Really hard to tell who is laying what. I know one of my buffs is laying every other day and the other buff is not laying at all. The five black ones all look alike for the most part and I usually don't see who is in there laying. Only one egg today!!!

 

[corinnep27]

The birds are most likely in a molt.  The typical molting age is around 18 months, however something can cause them to molt earlier.  I've had birds molt at 9 to 10 months.  The birds also look kind of ratty.  New feathers and low egg production are a clear sign of molt.  If the rooster was rough with them they should still lay.  I have a few orpingtons molting now.  Age is really key in determining whether they are molting, but based off of the facts and pictures, I believe that the birds are molting.  Just have to wait it out until you get more eggs!

The black ones are under a year old.