Starting a real problem with new laying pullets

[cornish20]

Quote:
My birds are from two sources- 2 breeds. One female of each breed has started laying- a few more of each breed are getting close (redness showing up), and about half still look aways away from POL. No illness that I could tell as younger birds. I know several close by people which have been feeding the 'new' feed that I'm starting them on (a few weeks ago) that have been experiencing success for years on that feed.

Only one appeared to go broody, the other did not/ or has not yet; but then again she has only been off laying for going on 4 days now.

 

[1muttsfan]

Sounds like moulting. When hens molt more slowly they will loose feathers in certain areas but not others until later. They are not too young to molt. Do you provide any supplemental lighting? This time of year many hens stop laying cold turkey just because of the short days, as others have said.

 

[cornish20]

problem 1 solved... take the egg eating turkeys out of the pen... and eggs start showing up again...

problem 2 addressed, maybe... pullet has most def molted.. new feathers coming in strong. Crazy, never seen one this young go through a complete molt...

 

[bobbieschicks]

Glad you figured out what was happening. I never would have guessed about an egg eating turkey in there. Lol.

 

[cornish20]

Quote:
2 actually... not sure which one, but wouldn't be suprised if it's not either of them.... Breeder Experiement BBW birds, who now have a home of their own... They're on a restricted diet-- so I'm guessing it's a lack of feed that made them do it... Not sure what I'm going to do in breeding season... Maybe make sort sort of nest that closes once the hen leaves...

or butcher them both////