Something happened, but what?

[NTBugtraq]

Not stressed, but maybe caused a hiccup in the system. I really think you will see them picking back up within the month. Most laying hens will start and stop throughout the season for various reasons, sometimes we just never know why.

Thanks, I was really hoping that wouldn't be the answer but I get maybe its as good as it gets.

 

[aart]

So about a month ago my layers were giving me a good 13-18 a day. Not spectacular (there are 50 birds 20 weeks or older), but decent.

Then we had a ridiculous cold spell, temperatures lower than had ever been recorded. The run/coop was well protected, so I don't think they got blasted, but after 2 days of cracked frozen eggs, I have had nothing more than 4 eggs a day since.

Why 4? They all got whatever stopped the rest from laying.

Its been a month now, and production has not recovered. In case you are wondering, they have had lighting to simulate 15 hours a day since winter began.

Any suggestions?

How many are how much more than 20 weeks old?
Average onset of lay is 18-24 weeks for most breeds.
What breeds do you have?

How are they housed...coop and run sizes (feet by feet)?
What and how exactly are you feeding?

I don't think the lighting is the problem, unless you aren't feeding well, it can cause some problems.....and it is no guarantee that they will continue to lay with it.

 

[NTBugtraq]

How many are how much more than 20 weeks old?
Average onset of lay is 18-24 weeks for most breeds.
What breeds do you have?

How are they housed...coop and run sizes (feet by feet)?
What and how exactly are you feeding?

I don't think the lighting is the problem, unless you aren't feeding well, it can cause some problems.....and it is no guarantee that they will continue to lay with it.

31 are 26 weeks or older.

My pullets are all 1st generation crosses between red sexlink hens and pure Black Copper Maran roosters.

Enclosed run is 26' x 8', with an 8' x 6' coop attached to one end.

I feed them 18% layer ration, non-GMO. I give them black sunflower seed, whole oats and scratch every 4 days. They get whatever table scraps (non-meat) I have.

 

[aart]

50 birds in a 6' x 8' coop in a cold climate?!......Crowding Stress, Cabin Fever has struck.
They need at least 4 times that amount of coop space, IMO.

 

[NTBugtraq]

50 birds in a 6' x 8' coop in a cold climate?!......Crowding Stress, Cabin Fever has struck.
They need at least 4 times that amount of coop space, IMO.

The entire 32' x 8' structure is roofed, abuts my house on the long wall, and has plywood over 2/3rds of the mesh on the other long wall. IOWs, its really all a coop. In the 8' x 6' structure are the 10 nesting boxes, that's all that makes that space unique. The doorway from it to the area with the roosts and run space is never closed. There is over 125' of roosts.

IMO, the space is adequate.

 

[NTBugtraq]

The entire 32' x 8' structure is roofed, abuts my house on the long wall, and has plywood over 2/3rds of the mesh on the other long wall. IOWs, its really all a coop. In the 8' x 6' structure are the 10 nesting boxes, that's all that makes that space unique. The doorway from it to the area with the roosts and run space is never closed. There is over 125' of roosts.

IMO, the space is adequate.

I should point out, I would love to free range, but owls, red tail hawks, fishers, wolf, coyote, and my own 3 dogs (whom the youngest was 8 when they met their first chicken) would all love to kill chickens...so no can do.

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh, well, that's a different story...still might be a bit tight for full time.
Is there light in there?
Maybe they had a predator scare?
Not sure what could have shut them down.

 

[NTBugtraq]

Oh, well, that's a different story...still might be a bit tight for full time.
Is there light in there?
Maybe they had a predator scare?
Not sure what could have shut them down.

lolz...yada yada yada...;-]

"Full time"?? The oldest is 43 weeks and will be out of there at just over 1 year.

Yes, there is light, the mesh long wall is on the south side. Plus, I use timed lighting to keep them laying.

There may have been a predator scare, hard to say, but the dogs generally keep them at bay. I have yet to see unexplained prints in the snow anywhere near the house, and since I tap my maples, I actually walk the bush a good distance from the house. All tracks skirt the house at at least 1000 ft. away.

Thanks for not being sure, neither am I, and we can agree...that sucks...;-]

 

[aart]

By full time I mean they are confined to the space 24/7....rather than the usual in a coop at night and ~2.4 times more space in a run during the day.

Nope, not sure at all...just some guesses based on some of the more common problems that folks usually don't think about.

Best of cLuck to you.

 

[NTBugtraq]

Best of cLuck to you.

Lolz, thanks!!