Why are her eggs getting SMALLER???

[chuckzoo]

My one BR hen is now about 1 1/2yrs. She molted in the winter and after that started laying a nice big egg. Recently I have notice her eggs are getting smaller. In the winter I had them on 22% layer as they were not eating much.

Since introducing my two new pullets about 4 weeks ago they have all been on 18% start and grow with oyster shell available at all times.

Why are her eggs smaller? Is it the feed? The heat?

 

[chuckzoo]

Anybody?

 

[usschicago1]

Its Could Be a lot of Factors It could be
Stress From
A Rooster
Heat
Cold
Predators
Mites
Lice
Scaly Let mites
It could be Nutritional Deficiency [Which i don't think is the case]
She Could Be Going into yet another molt, or a partial molt.
Or simply her age or genetic make-up.
I wouldn't worry though, I honestly think it is age.


Goodluck
Mark

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote:
Thanks for the response.
I can rule out the rooster ( I don't have one), mites, Lice, scaly leg mites, cold and hopefully predators since I live in a subdivision. She is only 1 and 1/2 yrs old so hopefully it is not that yet.

Heat, perhaps? Do they lay smaller eggs if they eat less?