Why am I only getting 10 eggs a day with 40 hens?

[kaylee's poultry place]

I have 41 chickens and 5 roosters. Why am I only getting around 10 eggs a day! I feed them a mix of corn and wheat. Sometimes I feed them hen layer. I make sure they always have oyster shells and hay. I have noticed they climb in the nesting box and just sit their not even laying eggs.
I was excepting more eggs out of 41 hens.
BTW, they did had an incident with the dogs getting a couple. But that was about 2 months ago.

 

[diamondsilkies]

How old are they? How long have they been laying (the ones that are)?

They might be affected by the cold weather/shorter days, or they may be molting, which can reduce laying. If that's the case, they'll start up again when it gets warmer and the days start getting longer, and you'll get plenty of eggs.

 

[kaylee's poultry place]

How old are they? How long have they been laying (the ones that are)?

They might be affected by the cold weather/shorter days, or they may be molting, which can reduce laying. If that's the case, they'll start up again when it gets warmer and the days start getting longer, and you'll get plenty of eggs.

well I kinda of have a different variety of age.
But I do know my 8 month old ones are laying most of them.
Thank you

 

[diamondsilkies]

Hmm. What breeds do you have? Sometimes certain breeds can take longer to start.

 

[kaylee's poultry place]

silkies, batams, Rhode Island Red, Araucana
Most of them I don't know I got a layers package from Murray mcmurray hatchery.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, I'm getting fewer than you, but my hens are mostly very, very old. Funny thing is that one of the three hens laying now is my very oldest and very crippled hen, who will be 11 years old in March. Just got my 4th egg from her over the past week and a half. So, I can't complain much! I have that 11 yr old hen, an almost 8 yr old hen, then one who is a year and a half old, plus one who is about 40 weeks old providing all our eggs at the moment from 33 hens. My prime layers have all just experienced their very first big molt is one reason. One hen is injured and quit laying, two have crop issues from something they got hold of on range (I think) and I just don't know.

I have 32 large fowl birds and 6 Belgian D'Anvers-there are 4 Belgian D'Anver hens who just frankly never lay and are getting up in years anyway.

Of the 32 large fowl birds, three are roosters, so that leaves 29 LF hens. Of the 29 LF hens, 14 are 7 (or almost 7) to almost 11 years old.
Of the 14, 6 hens are 9+ years old, 4 will turn 8 yrs old in February, with Amanda being the oldest, turning 11 yrs old in March *Amanda is laying, crazy as that is* Guess that explains why no eggs here, though we should be getting some from the younger crowd when their molts are far in the distance.

Shorter days, any stresses at all, different breeds, individual differences within those breeds, all contribute to absence of laying.

 

[jvls1942]

I didn't get it , if the chickens were laying and quit ?? or they just haven't started yet.??

some of those breeds are seasonal layers.
lots of times pullets won't start laying going into wither..

the shorter daylight hours has a lot to do with lower egg production.
your RIR should lay.
you can give them supplemental light.
just a 40 watt bulb should be enough.
I know, I know, lots of people don't believe in doing this. I just happen to be one who leaves lights on 24/7 ..
No, it does not stress them out..

 

[kaylee's poultry place]

I think I have concluded that my chickens are in a stage. I will hope they start laying more this spring Thank you for all your help.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have 41 chickens and 5 roosters. Why am I only getting around 10 eggs a day!S I feed them a mix of corn and wheat. Sometimes I feed them hen layer. I make sure they always have oyster shells and hay. I have noticed they climb in the nesting box and just sit their not even laying eggs.
I was excepting more eggs out of 41 hens.
BTW, they did had an incident with the dogs getting a couple. But that was about 2 months ago.

Everyone feeds their chickens as they please. I also feed my chickens differently than THE FEDERATION SUGGESTS.
A known fact for good egg production is the required amount of protein in their feed intake. Your feed seems a little low in the protein percentage. If your hens are molting, which at this time many do, they need additional protein to build their feathers. Their protein intake goes to rebuilding their feathers before it gets dedicated to producing eggs.
My chickens went on strike for quite a number of weeks now, and I have not seen an egg in how long????? I only have 6 hens, and some are seasonal layers, some are lazy layers, and some are molting. The shorter days also play a BIG FACTOR. Lower temps are also in play.
I do feed my chickens Alflock. It is 18% protein. It is 2% calcium. I prefer the lower percentage since it is ideal feed for ALL your chickens. (laying, and non laying hens, Roosters, and juveniles) I do provide oyster shells free choice. I do also give them scratch and other treats. Doing this does lower their protein intake, since they wolf down the treats and leave the feed uneaten. Yea......... I do break the Rules of The Federation. ... I also have gotten speeding tickets in the past.... Parking tickets for allowing time to expire, NEVER FOR PARKING IN A HANDICAP ZONE.
Overall, my chickens live long lives. I think happy ones as well. Last one departed after 11 years. My oldest went 13.
Yes, my egg production may not get BLUE RIBBONS.... but my chickens are not on a science diet, and then discarded like battery hens.
When laying gets full speed, there are more eggs than I know what to do with. I GIVE them away to my neighbors and family.
Obviously if you keep large flocks, you can sell your extra eggs to recoup some of your feed costs.
WISHING YOU BEST and ......

 

[aart]

I feed them a mix of corn and wheat. Sometimes I feed them hen layer.

I was excepting more eggs out of 41 hens.

You get out what you put in.
They are most likely missing out on key nutrients, especially vitamins/minerals/ amino acids, to enable good productivity.