What's the problem?

[rhodyray]

My hens have been in some sort of molt for the last two months and now are not laying more than two eggs per day and on some days there is none. The combs are bright and red and hens love to free range whenever they are let out. I cannot determine why my hens, that were purchased with another eighteen hens and distributed to two other friends, are the exception and not the rule compared to the other hens my friends have. One of the other flock owners lives three homes away and he's getting four to five eggs per day. The other flock owner is getting on average ten eggs out of her twelve hens. The hens are eighteen months old. So what's my problem? Your feedback is appreciated.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Have you checked for mites and lice?
Two month of molting is longer then I would expect.

Can you post pics of them?

What are you feeding differently then the other flock owners?

 

[sourland]

Are you all feeding the same feed ?

 

[aart]

My hens have been in some sort of molt for the last two months and now are not laying more than two eggs per day and on some days there is none. The combs are bright and red and hens love to free range whenever they are let out.

They may not lay for weeks after molting.
But with the red combs and free ranging they may be laying out in range area.

Check vent and pelvic bones, then might need to confine for a week or so them to re-habituate to laying in coops nests.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days (or longer) can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[rhodyray]

Have you checked for mites and lice?
Two month of molting is longer then I would expect.

Can you post pics of them?

What are you feeding differently then the other flock owners?

 

[rhodyray]

Have you checked for mites and lice?
Two month of molting is longer then I would expect.

Can you post pics of them?

What are you feeding differently then the other flock owners?

When I state free range I mean for about 2 hours a day. Because they are molting I'm feeding them higher protein feed and so aren't my friends with the same birds of this flock. Egg laying outside of the run is most likely not the problem. Here are some pictures of my five hens.

They also take dirt baths on a regular basis and I see no itching or scratching.

 

[lazy gardener]

Are you giving them any scratch grains? If so, I suggest that you stop providing them.

 

[rhodyray]

Are you giving them any scratch grains? If so, I suggest that you stop providing them.

No scratch grain being fed. They do get to eat tomatoes from the gardens