Sudden Egg Decline. Thoughts?

[mikgub]

Hi all, thanks again for helping me with my new flock this past winter. Now the girls (and boys) are all grown up and laying eggs. Up until recently, we were averaging 10-11 eggs each day. We have 14 hens and 2 roosters. Sometime last week (or perhaps around 10 days ago), that number started to drop. First, it was about 8 eggs, then 6. Now we're down to 3-4 eggs each day.

I've read many, many forum threads about drops in egg production. I'm going to go through the possibilities as I see them and ask a few questions for any of you problem solvers out there.

1. Change in diet. We were feeding them free-choice laying crumbles until about 2 months ago. At that point, we switched to morning and evening feeding instead of leaving the bucket out all day and night. They are free ranging on about 1 acre of grass with some woods. They get table scraps a few times a week. They have plenty of clean water in multiple locations. My question is this: would the decline in egg production show up over 6 weeks after the change in feed? We went ahead and started back with free-choice feed 2 days ago to see if that helps. If it's going to help, when do you think I'll start to see a difference? I know protein especially can affect egg production, but I can't find anything on the specific timeline.

2. Broody hens in the coop. I have 2 broody hens in the coop right now. Long before the hens went broody, the flock was primarily laying eggs in the barn instead of the coop, so I'm not sure this is the issue. Also, they continued to lay around 10 eggs a day for the first week of the first broody hen taking over a nesting box. They either laid eggs in with her or just used one of the other nesting boxes (or the hay feeder in the barn). I've read that broodiness can be contagious, but since only one other hen went broody, I'm not sure that's to blame either.

3. Egg hiding. As I mentioned, the flock does have complete access to our entire pasture and fenced woods area. Only 3 chickens ever fly the fence, and both of the hens are the ones who are currently broody. The other chicken is a rooster, so I'm not worried about him hiding eggs outside the fence. I have looked and looked and looked and looked everywhere I think they might be hiding eggs to no avail. Every morning I'm sure I will find the hiding spot, but I can't think of anywhere else to look. I've joked with my husband that we should set up a few GoPro cameras on our hens, but I'm only half serious.

4. Something eating the eggs. I suppose it could be anything, but the girls are locked up at night and I check for eggs at least 3 times a day. I do have at least one hen that will eat eggs if I don't collect them quickly enough, but I doubt she's eating 10+ each day (and like I said, I'm out there 3-4 times a day looking for eggs in addition to morning and evening chores). I'd be surprised if there was something that could get in and get all the eggs every day before I noticed, a hen called the alarm (I have some noisy ones), or my dog alerted me to it. He's pretty vigilant. If there is something getting the eggs, what's my best plan of attack?

5. Disease. I don't see any symptoms of disease. Everyone looks happy and plump. There's no molting or other indications that something is wrong with their health or environment.

At this point, it's become both incredibly frustrating and a running joke because we finally got a steady stream of egg customers going and had some family come to town, looking forward to farm-fresh eggs...just in time for the girls to quit laying!

Any ideas or things I might be overlooking, fine people of the internet? Like I mentioned in #1, I've gone back to free-choice feeding them and I've put dummy eggs back in the nesting boxes to see if I can't encourage things in that way. I'm hesitant to lock everyone in the coop for a few days because one of the broody hens is just days from hatching her clutch and I don't want to change up the routine too much on her or risk the other hens bothering her more than they already do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Switching to a higher protein feed will help optimize laying. Often a layer is lower in protein. I recommend an All Flock or flock raised with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

Generally you see your best production in early spring and as summer gets warmer production will drop. Birds will eat less when warm so feeding that higher protein ration can help make sure they get enough protein to keep up production. If you are already seeing an egg eater switching feeds will help that too. I recommend a 18-22% protein.

Break those broodies ASAP. They can disrupt the flock and it seems to spread if you leave them setting. Breaking them right away also gets them back in lay sooner.

Expect production to go up and down throughout the season. Some even will take breaks.

 

[MROO]

It wouldn't account for all of the missing eggs, but have you checked under your broodies to make sure they haven't been stealing eggs? We have a broody who went from 3 to 10 eggs in about four days - and hadn't laid a one!

 

[lazy gardener]

Check the mill date on your feed. If it's older than 6 weeks, that is suspect.

Any chance that a varmint is eating the girls rations?

You most likely have birds hiding eggs.

Possible for your dog to be stealing eggs? My dog is an egg thief.

Is it possible or likely that you have an egg customer who is "light fingered"?

 

[MROO]

If you want to keep your broodies on their nests, maybe you can move them to another coop or a shed. We moved a broody last night, after "lights out." She moved easily and the other hens seem to be back to their normal routine today.

 

[mikgub]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check the feed and definitely consider switching. I guess I just assumed layer was better for layers than an all-flock.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check the feed and definitely consider switching. I guess I just assumed layer was better for layers than an all-flock.

The difference is layer is lower in protein and higher in calcium. It's formulated to be fed to actively laying hens as the sole ration.

Great for big producers, but not such a good fit for backyard flocks where extras and treats are often fed.

Hens are also supposed to be switched off a layer during down time like during the molt when they need extra protein.

Easier to just feed the all flock and let hens self regulate their calcium needs with oyster shells. I have better shell quality this way too.

 

[aart]

I'd do an exam then lock 'em up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Do you plan on letting the broodies hatch?
If not, I'd break em pronto.

 

[aart]

Check the mill date on your feed. If it's older than 6 weeks, that is suspect.

Do you use a commercial brand name feed?

 

[nwsunshine]

Hens are also supposed to be switched off a layer during down time like during the molt when they need extra protein.

I hate to sound dumb but I never knew they were supposed to be switched during down time - this is good information! Since we are just have a backyard flock and don't really add lights in the winter much, we should probably switch off layer then too?