Very Poor Egglaying

[QP]

I have 9 chickens (started wth 13 but some died off) and they used to lay like crazy until last winter, which is reasonable but it never picked up again and it is already winter again. Is there something I can do besides squeeze them?

 

[CityClucks]

How old are they, QP? And what breeds?

 

[CMV]

Sounds like they are getting older. Aren't we all?

They will never lay as well as they did when they were 18 months old. Hens' peak production years are in the first 2 and then they gradually wind down until they eventually produce eggs sporadically, if at all. The way to deal with this if you want fresh eggs for always is to rotate your flock keeping your hens for not more than 3 years. First year you get 6 female chicks. Second year you get 6 more female chicks. So now you have 6 pullets laying eggs and 6 babies growing up. Third year you get 6 new chicks. That gives you have 6 mature hens laying eggs, 6 pullets laying eggs and 6 babies growing up. Fourth year get 6 new chicks. Finally you have 6 mature hens laying, 6 pullets laying, 6 babies growing up and 6 dinners comprised of your oldest hens. This keeps your flock at roughly 18 birds at any given time at optimal laying age. And keep this pattern up indefinitely...