Was getting more eggs... now not so much?

[atclarkson]

ISA Browns, 6.5 months old. Been laying since early January, 1 each per day by the end of Jan (5 chickens).

Now I'm only getting 3 eggs per day, sometimes 2! What's going on?

They all are healthy, no weird behavior (other than wanting to be outside even more than usual, I blame it on the nice weather)

Only thing I can think of is I've been feeding them alot of cuttings and such instead of throwing them in the green bin. Would this have cut egg production that much? I have stopped over the past few days, and will report on if it changes anything.

Ideas appreciated!

Thanks
Andrew

 

[schellie69]

If we are outside could they be hiding the eggs?

 

[atclarkson]

My bad. They are inside, and only outside (supervised) 20-30 mins a day. Def havent seen any eggs outside, but I'll have a look lol. They were outside just as much before, and there have been stretches of several days they don't go outside, so I don't think it's that. Solid thinking tho!

 

[Judy]

Read here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=423023

 

[atclarkson]

Quote:
I did.

Decreasing day length (Days are getting longer)
Molt (Too young)
Broodiness (Too young)
Flock health (Good health)
Age (again, young)
Poor nutrition (Only one that makes sense)
Stress (Nothing changed)


So... I ask here to see if the nutrition one is it!

Keep em coming

 

[JEB NC 10]

I'm having the same problem. Just started keeping chickens. Brought the girls (3 golden comets) Feb 28. and had 3 eggs waiting on me the very next morning. For the first 2 weeks I was getting 2 and 3 eggs a day. for the past 1.5 weeks I've been getting only 1 (sometimes none) egg a day. I've identyfied the hen that is laying. The other 2 are in good health, happy, still young (bought them at 25 weeks), and I simply continued them on their layer pellet feed. Don't know what's going on. Somewhat comforting to know I'm not the only one out there having this problem though.

 

[ghulst]

Quote:
The feed could be doing it. If they are true ISA Browns I would exspect a egg every day for 52 weeks. Where did you get them from?

 

[atclarkson]

Very Reputable Co-op the next town over. I feel it is something I am doing rather than the birds.

I got three eggs today. Nothing but layer mash for I guess 4 days now, it'll prob take a week+ to get them back to normal if that is the issue. Will update.

 

[ralleia]

We feed our laying hens game bird feed (higher protein), because we also give them weedings from the garden and scraps from the kitchen (lower protein, but more fun for chickens!)

Our hens range between 8 months and maybe up to 6 years. We're getting 21-25 eggs a day between 40 hens. We don't cull for non-producers.

 

[ghulst]

Quote:
Start new every 15 months and you would be money ahead.