When older hens stop laying...

[Rysktal]

What was it like when your older hens stopped laying?

I have 2 red sex links, ages unknown. (Last summer I was told they were old and their previous owner didn't think they were laying).

This summer one of them stopped laying for a whole month and now only lays one or two eggs a week. Her comb is less red, she is losing some weight too and her eggs are quite brittle...I feel like every other egg she does lay is already cracked when I find it in the nesting box.

Nothing has changed diet wise- All Flock is always available, calcium on the side. Black sunflower seeds and table scraps sometimes and they have a 150 ft run which is apart of a grown wild field.

I noticed the second red hen is also having weaker eggs but is laying almost every day.

Last summer I got an egg a day from each of them with nice strong shells...same feed situation as this year.

Is it just a sign that laying is going to stop soon? Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Where is "Beautiful PEI"? If you're in the northern hemisphere, our days are getting shorter and triggering molt in our chickens. Eggs laid just as molt is beginning can be of very low quality. After molting, as the days lengthen again, the eggs and quality will increase again.

 

[Rysktal]

Where is "Beautiful PEI"? If you're in the northern hemisphere, our days are getting shorter and triggering molt in our chickens. Eggs laid just as molt is beginning can be of very low quality. After molting, as the days lengthen again, the eggs and quality will increase again.

Oh my goodness, I forgot about all of that!! Thank you!