Texas

[Ren2014]

I have been getting zero eggs for a couple of months from my bunch. I have added game bird to their feed mix to up the protein and hopefully we will get back to laying. Just lost one to a hawk today darn it. She didn't come back in last night and go pinned out in an area which had no cover. The crows were going crazy this morning. I will keep them in until next weekend so hopefully the hawk will move on.

O no, sorry to hear about the hawk

Geez, zero for a couple of months. LOL, and I thought mine were the biggest slackers. Mine haven't really molted that heavily. Actually only one looks homely. I'm worried it's not just the molt that has production down

 

[jtn42248]

I have 20 laying hens, 17 laying ducks and between molt for the past month and the up and down cold weather and shorter days I am lucky to see 2 eggs a day from the lot. But, when they are fully feathered and the days are longer and warmer I get 18+ chicken eggs and 14+ duck eggs daily. Just waiting for the seasons to turn around here.

 

[needlessjunk]

It looks like one of hens has stopped. I have 3 that were born in May and haven't gotten an egg from her in about 5 days. The other 2 are still laying daily. I'm still getting 4 duck eggs a day out of 5 ducks. One is finishing up molt and 2 have yet to molt so I dunno what is up with them.

 

[Ren2014]

Wow, is this low of production normal for this time of year? Our birds were under a year this time last year so we really didn't notice a big drop.

 

[bnjrob]

Wow, is this low of production normal for this time of year? Our birds were under a year this time last year so we really didn't notice a big drop.

Yes it is normal. Decreased hours of daylight decreases egg production.

 

[Ren2014]

Yes it is normal. Decreased hours of daylight decreases egg production.

I probably didn't word my question right

I understand the theory but I was wondering if for some reason every one was experiencing a much lower production rate this year/molt time compared to last year's?

 

[jtn42248]

I probably didn't word my question right

I understand the theory but I was wondering if for some reason every one was experiencing a much lower production rate this year/molt time compared to last year's?

Yes. But my hens are almost 2 years old so there would be a reduction in any event. Add in the shorter days, colder weather and molt and I am probably lucky to be getting the few I do get. The worst part is having to occassionally buy eggs at the market. Not only are the of a lower quality but they cost almost 5 bucks a dozen.

 

[Eliza1313]

I thought all my hens had gone through molt, but I guess the weather being wonky threw some kinks in. So none of my older birds are laying. Have 21 pullets, 5 hens, and 5 guinea hens and 2 young duck hens. I am averaging 1 duck egg and somewhere between 1 and 5 chicken eggs a day, and now getting the occasional guinea egg again. They threw me for a loop Sat, collected 4 in the morning then had 9 waiting for me that evening. Although 3 had been damaged (1 in the morning and 2 in the evening), most likely from being stepped on.

I tried my hand at incubation and only managed to get one duckling to hatch. Learned a lot in the process though, so hopefully it will go better next time. Have brood mates on the way for the little guy.

 

[Ren2014]

Yes. But my hens are almost 2 years old so there would be a reduction in any event. Add in the shorter days, colder weather and molt and I am probably lucky to be getting the few I do get. The worst part is having to occassionally buy eggs at the market. Not only are the of a lower quality but they cost almost 5 bucks a dozen.

I had to buy eggs today

I thought all my hens had gone through molt, but I guess the weather being wonky threw some kinks in. So none of my older birds are laying. Have 21 pullets, 5 hens, and 5 guinea hens and 2 young duck hens. I am averaging 1 duck egg and somewhere between 1 and 5 chicken eggs a day, and now getting the occasional guinea egg again. They threw me for a loop Sat, collected 4 in the morning then had 9 waiting for me that evening. Although 3 had been damaged (1 in the morning and 2 in the evening), most likely from being stepped on.

I tried my hand at incubation and only managed to get one duckling to hatch. Learned a lot in the process though, so hopefully it will go better next time. Have brood mates on the way for the little guy.

I remember the good ole days of collecting 9 a day, lol.

Incubating duck eggs is difficult and always a learning experience. I just had only 5 hatch of 10 that made it to lockdown. I have some Pekin eggs incubating now.

 

[Eliza1313]

I had to buy eggs today

I remember the good ole days of collecting 9 a day, lol.

Incubating duck eggs is difficult and always a learning experience. I just had only 5 hatch of 10 that made it to lockdown. I have some Pekin eggs incubating now.

They were shipped eggs too, so even more difficult. Then none of the chicken eggs I set made it.

The brood mates arrived yesterday. The littlest one did not make it through the night. Still have 10 left plus Ducky, and they are getting along fine.