Switched Nutrena Food for MannaPro - No eggs!

[Diesel84]

So I went out of town and had a friend watching my girls for me while I was away.. came back home and realized I was out of food! I had to work and my normal feed store across town was closed, so I went to the one near my job that only sells Manna Pro egg layer - I like it better, not as dusty. My girls seemed to like it too, I fed them immediately. I noticed however that now they've almost completely stopped laying.. I know I should've transitioned their food,

but I didn't have enough left of the Nutrena to do so. Will their digestive tract go back once they get used to the new food? Or do I need to switch back to Nutrena? Anyone else have this experience? They're only about 8 months old and are not moulting.. here in FL the coldest it's gotten is 60 degrees, we're back to 80's today so it's not the weather..
Shame on me.. I know!

 

[NonnasBabies]

They should get back on track soon! Just be patient!!

 

[Diesel84]

I'm soOoOoo impatient!

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change! Stick with the new feed if you like it better. As soon as they adapt to the change, they'll start laying. (Unless all of this is coincidental with the shortening day length.

)

 

[Diesel84]

How soon should I expect them to start back again? It's been well over a week and I haven't gotten a single egg from 2 of my girls.. Should I switch back? or just keep on the food I have now? My 3rd layer has kept on laying, but she had just started when I switched food. They've only been laying for maybe a month or so

 

[sourland]

If you switch back, it will constitute another change. Chickens lay less eggs as the daylength shortens. Are you providing supplemental light?

 

[Diesel84]

Yes - They have an outdoor open bottomed run that they are able to hang out in all day and pick for bugs.. They rarely spend time in their doghouse/coop - only to sleep!

 

[Diesel84]

Ok - it's officially been over 2 weeks and still no eggs... Is this even normal? What do I do?!

 

[Hound]

It's most likely coincidental, most hens slow down or stop laying at this time of year.

 

[GoldenCometLady]

I do believe you would be getting less daylight and that would account for
the slow down in egg laying. If you do want more eggs put a light in the
coop to come on early in the morning so it will translate into 14hrs of daylight.
Let them go to roost at the regular time this plan has worked for me.