Very disappointed with egg laying.

[ChickenCrazy8]

I have 2 hens that are two years old(1RIR, 1BPR) and 4 Pullets that are almost hens (2EE, 1SLW, 1 Australorp). I have been really disappointed with their egg laying for the past two months. I thought as it got warmer had more light they would lay more. From December to march I would get at least 100 eggs a month. But the past two months I've gotten around 80 a month. I just cleaned the coop in April and change the poop board and get them fresh water (with ACV) every second day, and food everyday. And let them free range for on average 2hr everyday. I feel like I am doing the best I can to look after them. I know there is a lot of fighting, my older hens henpeck the younger ones so they are missing feathers but not to the point where they draw blood. Also, my RIR is practically not laying at all. And she is growing a spur on one leg and has times when she looks sick and I'll separate her and give her yogurt and in a few days she will great again. But the eggs that she does sometimes lay, are shell less. I can't decide if maybe I should cull my two oldest hens and hope that it makes the younger chickens happier. I totally don't know what to do or what I'm doing wrong! I don't feel like I'm doing a bad job looking after them, I did a ton of research before getting chickens and still am. They all presently look healthy other than feathers missing and I guess a few of their combs aren't a nice strong red colour (Is that a sign of mites or lice)? Any advice would appreciated!!!!!

 

[lizanne]

I have 2 hens that are two years old(1RIR, 1BPR) and 4 Pullets that are almost hens (2EE, 1SLW, 1 Australorp). I have been really disappointed with their egg laying for the past two months. I thought as it got warmer had more light they would lay more. From December to march I would get at least 100 eggs a month. But the past two months I've gotten around 80 a month. I just cleaned the coop in April and change the poop board and get them fresh water (with ACV) every second day, and food everyday. And let them free range for on average 2hr everyday. I feel like I am doing the best I can to look after them. I know there is a lot of fighting, my older hens henpeck the younger ones so they are missing feathers but not to the point where they draw blood. Also, my RIR is practically not laying at all. And she is growing a spur on one leg and has times when she looks sick and I'll separate her and give her yogurt and in a few days she will great again. But the eggs that she does sometimes lay, are shell less. I can't decide if maybe I should cull my two oldest hens and hope that it makes the younger chickens happier. I totally don't know what to do or what I'm doing wrong! I don't feel like I'm doing a bad job looking after them, I did a ton of research before getting chickens and still am. They all presently look healthy other than feathers missing and I guess a few of their combs aren't a nice strong red colour (Is that a sign of mites or lice)? Any advice would appreciated!!!!!

Are they molting? The missing feathers might be from a molt, rather than from the other hens. That would explain the drop in egg production. I would check for any mites just in case.

 

[Alaskan]

Are they too crowded in their coop and run? (If they are too crowded it will lead to more bullying, feather picking, and that stress might lead to fewer eggs)

Are there not enough nest boxes? (Not enough boxes might mean that eggs are broken and then eaten. Also, if everyone wants the same box at the same time, it could lead to feather picking)

And is it super hot where you are? (This could lead to stress and less laying. Don't look at just the heat, but how much shade they have, as well as how much venting is in your coop)

Otherwise, if the RIR is laying odd eggs, and is already 2, I would cull her. Soup would be your best choice for a two year old.

Mites and lice and such usually leave behind very small dark freckles all over the hen's skin from where they were biting.

 

[ChickenCrazy8]

I have two nesting boxes and my coop dimensions are. . . 5ftx7ft inside and 5ftx14ft in the run. Their coop is on the edge of the forest so it's in the shade a lot. I have two 1x1ft ventilation holes in the ceiling and I live the door on the left (in the picture below) open most of the time.

Thanks for the info everyone

 

[Alaskan]

The size sounds good...

The vents might not be big enough if it is super hot and stuffy.

Peak in on them a few times a day and see how they are dealing with the nest boxes. One more might help.

You didn't mention what they are eating. They should be on a layer feed right now. If they are eating mostly scratch or something similar, then they probably are not getting enough protein. A low protein diet can lead to cannibalism and those sorts of behaviors.

Also, to reduce fighting I try always have two feeders and two waterers. It seems a bit silly with so few hens, but maybe it would help.

The only other thing I can think of, is to give them stuff to do in the run. Some hay, melon rinds, that sort of thing.

 

[ChickenCrazy8]

Their feed has 17% Protein, is that enough?. I have heard that protein should be between 16% and 20%. I have two waterers and I feeder in the coop and one in the run!
I have a sunflower seed toy in the run presently. I will add making another nesting box to my list of chores this week!!!
Thanks!!!

 

[Alaskan]

You are welcome!

It sure is frustrating when there isn't a clear answer.