Why are my girls not laying? Free loaders! Advice plz!

[Judy]

Quote:
The problem with giving very much scratch at all is that it is too nearly empty calories, like candy to a kid. It will take lots longer than 5 days to overcome that if that is the problem. If you were only giving a handful a few times a week, that's probably not the problem. If most of them are around 4 years that could be it.

At my house when the eggs get few and far between, I look for a rat snake, and usually find him. A skinny little 18" long one will eat an egg in a heartbeat. They are really common here. The last one couldn't get back out of the coop because of the lump halfway down his body.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Well, if you've really done your work in making sure they aren't hiding their eggs somewhere off site, and really sure you don't have an egg eater or two, then I'd say you face a decision. Age catches up quickly with some of these hen strains are they are simply not bred for long term production. Since it is spring, and the longest days of the year are upon us, and nature bids them lay at their maximum this time of year, well...... It's not looking too good.

I like my birds. I take very, very good and gentle care of them, but..... when the time comes, the time comes. I cannot financially afford to run an Old Hen's Home.

 

[ksmith]

Egg eating? My girls have started eating their eggs, im about to cry!

 

[FireTigeris]

Darn, so - have you tried increasing protein or leafy greens?

 

[Teresaann24]

what things could I give to up protein? They eat lots of grass...