Suggestions as to why my chickens are not laying

[Kiki]

I have 4 BR and 5 RIR and am only getting 0-2 eggs a day and out of the same hens. I'm trying to figure out why the others aren't laying. They get plenty of sleep, food, water,and have a big fenced yard. I've looked to see if they've been laying in the yard but have found nothing. Only one of them is molting (can tell from all the feathers everywhere), and they have bright red combs. It's summer now and we've been having nice sunny weather. They will have been laying for 2 years in late September. I've considered everything, but am stumped. Any suggestions as to why they're not laying?

What exactly do you feed them.

 

[aart]

I meant that a lot of people...posting here on BYC..didn't know they had worm overloads UNTIL they actually did get the poop tested.

So sorry I misinterpreted your post. Namaste.

 

[Kiki]

So sorry I misinterpreted your post. Namaste.

It's ok..it happens to all of us.

 

[The Chicken Fan]

I feed them flock raiser since not all of them are laying I didn't want the extra calcium in layer to hurt their kidneys. I live on the coast, and are hottest days have been in the mid 60's or below. We have had some predators, but nothing that I know that visited them directly. They don't eat eggs unless one happens to have a weak shell and breaks in the nesting box. It just confuses me because they all have nice bright red combs, one sign that they could be laying.

 

[aart]

I feed them flock raiser since not all of them are laying I didn't want the extra calcium in layer to hurt their kidneys. I live on the coast, and are hottest days have been in the mid 60's or below. We have had some predators, but nothing that I know that visited them directly. They don't eat eggs unless one happens to have a weak shell and breaks in the nesting box. It just confuses me because they all have nice bright red combs, one sign that they could be laying.

Ah, well, thin shells are another story.
If an egg is easily broken it's fair game to eat, IMO.
Won't call them egg eaters, but it can make them more 'curious'.

I have one hen that lays soft/thin shelled eggs pretty consistently, and they get broken and eaten. It makes a mess but not much I can do about it, but keep a close eye on nests and remove those eggs before they get broken. It seems to come and go, think it's both her system is not the best and I think stress can make it worse.

For the nonlaying, you could keep them cooped up for a time to make sure they are not laying...at the same time the ones that are laying will start to use the nests again. Good way to assess laying. Hopefully your coop and run are large enough for 9 birds not to cause too much stress at being confined.

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 3-4 days (or longer) 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 24/7 for a few days to a week, 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.

 

[The Chicken Fan]

My coop is set up with a small protected run and then we added a much larger fenced in yard. There's no place except one where they would lay an egg, and I check that spot regularly.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I feed them flock raiser since not all of them are laying I didn't want the extra calcium in layer to hurt their kidneys. I live on the coast, and are hottest days have been in the mid 60's or below. We have had some predators, but nothing that I know that visited them directly. They don't eat eggs unless one happens to have a weak shell and breaks in the nesting box. It just confuses me because they all have nice bright red combs, one sign that they could be laying.

We might be neighbors! Well, I'm just south of the border in CA. But same weather.

I like flock raiser. Are you also offering free choice OS? Also, you didn't yet state what treats you feed? Are you considering taking a fecal sample in?

I have had the occasional weak egg be broken, eaten, or make a complete mess. One hen had 2 fake eggs nicely embedded into her feathers requiring a bath to remove them. But I have been on the look out for egg eaters with full intent of culling! I am glad to hear @aart that it may actually be fair game and not an actual problem. I have noticed a peck in an egg here and there (same box)... maybe those were curiosity pecks left over from prior incidents.

Are all your birds the same age?

 

[aart]

But I have been on the look out for egg eaters with full intent of culling! I am glad to hear @aart that it may actually be fair game and not an actual problem.

It's fair game but it could lead to more aggressive, and successful, curiosity pecking.
Pullets are the usual curiosity peckers, saw that while watching closely when my thin layer was like every other day this spring. When I finally figured out who was laying the thins, she was also the one running around with the shell. But not even she has been curiosity pecking because I still find some pretty thin shells that are intact, tho I gather eggs a few times a day. She is now called Autumnal Stew.

 

[The Chicken Fan]

I give them a treat once a day after breakfast (it's become the ritual), from old bread to watermelon rinds or other pieces of fruit (no citrus). They always have oyster shell available. As for the fecal sample I'm not sure, they look healthy and a good weight, but I know outside looks can be deceiving. I have yet to check for night mites. Trying to find a good day where I don't have to wake up early. I do have a light in the coop, but it's only on for 45 minutes. My coop has no windows and can get really dark, so the light helps them get settled.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I give them a treat once a day after breakfast (it's become the ritual), from old bread to watermelon rinds or other pieces of fruit (no citrus). They always have oyster shell available. As for the fecal sample I'm not sure, they look healthy and a good weight, but I know outside looks can be deceiving. I have yet to check for night mites. Trying to find a good day where I don't have to wake up early. I do have a light in the coop, but it's only on for 45 minutes. My coop has no windows and can get really dark, so the light helps them get settled.

We usually do once a day treats for our animals as well. I have so many birds, nobody gets too much though. We do it in the evening so those in the lay boxes don't get left out. Don't forget chickens love meat, eggs, and most things protein, while fruits and most veggies, especially lettuce have not much nutrients.

I know it doesn't get actually dark until like 9:30 right now. Birds are usually gone up close to 8 it seems. I would try to go in after they settle down probably instead of in the morning... maybe 10 PM. Since I get up at 5:30 most mornings, I'm usually burnt out by night time. But it's still easier (for me) than trying to do something before 2 cups of coffee are down the hatch, and I don't wanna have to think about what's coming next while I'm enjoying my morning time. Red mites will be about all you can detect. The others as far as I know are more about symptoms cluing you in and you solving the puzzle.