Why are my 1 1/3 year old hens laying inconsistantly?

[InsaneBreeder]

I have read that their age is approaching egg-laying prime, so why are some laying one or two eggs every several days or not at all? I feed them layer pellets and scratch, and I let them out to forage for an hour or so every day. The weather is generally warm during the day and cool (high 60's to 70's) at night. They do not have a chicken run, but their coop has three large windows. I dusted them for mites only a few weeks ago and there are no signs of egg-eating, so what is wrong?

 

[Imp]

You don't say where you are located. Are they getting enough light. Usually 14 hours/day is recommended.
Are they primarily eating the layer? Scratch should be a treat not a regular feed. They need protein to make eggs.
And sometimes hens are just weird and erratic. Good luck

Imp

 

[InsaneBreeder]

I live in Hawaii which would be a tropical climate. Do you mean direct sunlight or light through windows? We have a 2-month rainy season where there is not a lot of light, but it has been generally sunny. I feed them only layer pellets, but I throw a few handfuls of scratch every day for them to forage for when I let them outside. Should I be giving them some sort of protein?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Any kind of white light is OK, direct, windows and cloudy days do not make a difference. If they are getting layer feed, free-ranging, and a few handfulls of scratch, they should be fine as far as protein. They can be erratic, but not all at the same time. Let me think about this.

Imp

Here's a link to other Hawaiian chicken owners. Perhaps you can post your question here and/or PM them for specifics about Hawaii.

Good luck

Imp- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=117644&p=1

 

[InsaneBreeder]

Quote:
Any kind of white light is OK, direct, windows and cloudy days do not make a difference. If they are getting layer feed, free-ranging, and a few handfulls of scratch, they should be fine as far as protein. They can be erratic, but not all at the same time. Let me think about this.

Imp

Here's a link to other Hawaiian chicken owners. Perhaps you can post your question here and/or PM them for specifics about Hawaii.

Good luck

Imp- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=117644&p=1

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Imp]

If you get an answer please post it. I'm curious now.

Imp

 

[InsaneBreeder]

Post it here or elsewhere?

 

[Imp]

Here would be great.
A new post will bring this thread to the top again. You might have a bit of a mystery here, and I'd like to hear the resolution.

Hope you find out.

Imp

 

[InsaneBreeder]

Okay.

 

[farmerlor]

You've gotten great advice thus far but just a few more questions: Are they in molt? Have you checked them out for any medical problem like worms or mites? Still getting plenty of calcium?