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

[chickencheeper]

Well it just may be the strain of chickens. I had some Light Sussex that didn't start laying till they were 39 weeks. Did a breeding on those birds and their children started laying at 35 weeks . it just depends on the bird. do you have them on layer feed?
Best,
Karen

We still have them on grower feed with oyster shell(we were advised to do so by other members on other threads) so there isn’t a calcium overload for the non-layers

 

[speckledhen]

I've been reading this thread and thinking about the original poster poster. I'm interested in what she said about a slow molt among her Birds . I am thinking this may be part of the problem. if her birds are over 16 weeks old , I think she should put them on Nutrena Feather Fixer feed. not only will they grow better feathers , but the birds may lay through the molt like one of mine did.
Best,
Karen
In Western Pennsylvania USA

Hey, Karen, I was checking out the Feather Fixer and saw that the protein level is less than the layer feed I use, which is 22% and contains animal protein. What do you think might be other differences in the Feather Fixer? I did not buy it since I would have been lowering their protein and I was already giving them vitamins in their water. Didn't seem a purchase that made sense for me, unless there is something I don't know about the product.

 

[aart]

Hey, Karen, I was checking out the Feather Fixer and saw that the protein level is less than the layer feed I use, which is 22% and contains animal protein. What do you think might be other differences in the Feather Fixer? I did not buy it since I would have been lowering their protein and I was already giving them vitamins in their water. Didn't seem a purchase that made sense for me, unless there is something I don't know about the product.

Feather Fixers great claim to fame when it first came out was that it would deter/kill lice/mites with a secret proprietary ingredient. Come to find out the magic ingredient was sulfer, which is in a lot of feeds anyway. They stopped using that aspect as a advertising/selling point, but the legend lives on, the name itself implies miracles. If you look at the ingredients, it not so keen a product. Higher protein (IIRC not animal protein), yeah kinda, but still high in calcium. Not that it's a terrible feed, but there be snake oil hovering about.

 

[speckledhen]

Feather Fixers great claim to fame when it first came out was that it would deter/kill lice/mites with a secret proprietary ingredient. Come to find out the magic ingredient was sulfer, which is in a lot of feeds anyway. They stopped using that aspect as a advertising/selling point, but the legend lives on, the name itself implies miracles. If you look at the ingredients, it not so keen a product. Higher protein (IIRC not animal protein), yeah kinda, but still high in calcium. Not that it's a terrible feed, but there be snake oil hovering about.

Hmm, I did not know that about the sulfur in that feed being the "key ingredient". So, no benefit over what I normally feed them, probably not as good. Thanks, Anne.

 

[cavemanrich]

Feather Fixers great claim to fame when it first came out was that it would deter/kill lice/mites with a secret proprietary ingredient. Come to find out the magic ingredient was sulfer, which is in a lot of feeds anyway. They stopped using that aspect as a advertising/selling point, but the legend lives on, the name itself implies miracles. If you look at the ingredients, it not so keen a product. Higher protein (IIRC not animal protein), yeah kinda, but still high in calcium. Not that it's a terrible feed, but there be snake oil hovering about.

They do anything to get more consumer dollar$.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi Anne,
all I know is that I had my birds going through a molt couple years ago and another bycer recommended feather fixer. so I thought what have I got to lose? I put my whole flock (all of which were older than 16 weeks that's the requirement for the feed) on feather fixer . they came through the molt in wonderful fashion . and they had absolutely stunning plumage ! one of my birds even laid through the molt. which apparently is kind of unusual I guess . often the hens will take some time off I am told. but I was very impressed.
if I hadn't seen it for myself I wouldn't have believed it . I was just thinking if her birds are in a partial molt or a slow molt ( or whatever ), maybe they need whatever did such a great job for my birds. It says on the bag it's okay to feed it to both sexes as long as the birds are over 16 weeks old.
Best ,
Karen

 

[chickengeorgeto]

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....

Lose the corn and the wheat and only feed a complete layer ration 18% protein at this time of year with good old fashion animal protein, or an incomplete (soy based) layer ration (say 15% protein) supplemented with a good kibbles and bit style dog and/or cat food with a real animal protein component to bring the total protein content up to 18 or more percent. Good hog or pig rations is also great for supplemental protein in your chicken food.

Now, depending on which brand of hen that you are running and the time of year (early December) you may already be enjoying the maximum egg production from your 41 hens, as I seriously doubt that your 5 roosters are doing much to increase egg production.

Try Googling the strain, breed, or type of hen that you are running remembering that so called "Heritage" breeds and "multi purpose" hens are just another way of saying,
"This here hen ain't going to lay very many eggs."

 

[jvls1942]

Which came first, the mash or the pellet.

 

[lz120970]

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.

Try feeding them animal protein everyday. Chickens need a little bit of meat. I feed mine can sardines & dried black soldier fly larvae. I have 14 layer hens. I get a dozen eggs most days. I have even gotten 14 in one day. Also soak the wheat & corn overnight. I soak even amount of water to the grain. It might take a week or so but you should see their laying pick up. Always plenty oyster shells as well.

 

[jvls1942]

If you have a feed mill near you, see if they have a layer mix of their own. or ask them if they will mix some for you. then don't "treat" the hens with any other grain, like corn etc.
when I did this, it didn't cost my any more than just feeding them every day , the low protein diet.
remember that anything you "treat" them with will decrease the protein intake..
so if you just want to feed 40 pets, "treat" them.
if you want eggs, layer mash.