What happened to my production???

[Toast]

I can't figure out what's going on! Three weeks ago my 45ish hens were giving me about 30 eggs a day. These last two weeks I have been getting less than 24 a day and today I got 17! What is going on??

30 of these hens were born in the spring so it's not an issue of molting (I wouldn't think or being too old). They have a light on to make up for when we don't have enough day light.


Nothing is eating my eggs either.

I am making sure they have enough water and food.

The only possible issue could be when we had terrible weather for about 4 days I closed up the barn but they have a window in there. Could it have been too dark that it messed up their cycle?

Any ideas what is causing my problem?

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

If it was a drastic change in the level of light combined with lower temps I'd say that could certainly throw things off.

 

[Toast]

Do you think they will bounce back?

 

[ozark hen]

winter, shortening of the days. I only get four eggs per day right now.

 

[mtnhomechick]

It's happened to me a couple of times too......but then it picks right back up again. I wish I knew what causes that.

 

[silkiechicken]

4 days in the barn probably did it. It is not unusal for first year birds to moult too actually. Just not a heavy one.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

They'll bounce back as soon as it warms up and the days get longer.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

It could be the slight change - some chickens freak if you change anything, others could care less.

Mine didn't lay well for three days because the guineas got into their coop and I had to chase them out (the guineas are mean to the chickens - they are also GONE now).

On the other hand, I got three hens from a friend, moved them to my house, and they never stopped laying (usually tthey stop for a couple of weeks after a move). Heck, I changed coops with my own birds last summer, and they quit laying for a week - and that was moving just 25 feet to a different coop.

I agree with the previous poster, it is probably a combo of the cold and change in light. They'll probably pick back up again when things get more normal (well, normal in their minds

)

meri

 

[gritsar]

Hi Toast,
Exactly when in the spring were yours hatched? My chickens were hatched in April, the 9th to be exact making them 8 1/2 months old. For the past six weeks or so I've had a total of 10 (out of 18) go thru a mini-moult. It's been a very mild moult, except for 4 very unlucky girls who really looked ragged while going thru it. Of course they quit laying while they were experiencing it. The actual moult for each girl lasted about 10 days.
It's my understanding that moulting at this age (7 to 8 months) is best described as a mini-moult and not near as severe as the 18 month moult.
Could that be a possibility for your chickens?
You stated you have a light on, so I don't think the stormy weather is that much of a factor.

 

[FarmGirl01]

Mine almost quit after my timmer was off for 2 days. It doesn't take much. They should bounce back soon.