Why Aren't My Chickens Laying? Here Are Your Answers!

[flocksalot]

Quote:
Sorry Cynthia I was just trying to help answer a question. I have absolutley no problems with culling. None whatsoever, but the hens are actually my 7 year olds and I can't cull his pets. That's all. I definantely didn't want to suggest what anyone else did with their chickens was wrong. Again my apologies. Now I'll go back to playing with the new girlies and keep my hands busy elsewhere.

 

[speckledhen]

I was really more speaking to traybo than your answer to him/her, but thank you. We can say that disease can slow down or stop production, but beyond that, any specifics should be in the other section of the forum.

 

[traybo]

sorry I am new to this back yard chicken.... i kind of felt like my problem fell under this section... not to worry I will try to be more careful in the future....

 

[speckledhen]

That's okay, traybo, just want to stay on track in this thread.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well I still only got 5 from 22 hens most of which are new layers and Dels and 1 from an EE out of maybe 6 on the other side 4 of which are over two.

I'm not happy except that I don't need the eggs. Maybe they know it and figure no sense laying since the fridge is full already.

I may worm tomorrow night. It's been wet here. I did give them a days worth of vitamins.

I have switched to Agway pellets from Dumor Pellets. They were on a Dumor crumble feed and then I switched to pellets. I also have put in nipple waterers about two weeks ago.

Does anyone think this is the problem?

Rancher

 

[Cass]

Quote:
Rancher,

I never know when you are kidding or serious. But it was you that told me that switches in feed will change laying patterns. Oh and those worms? Might want to reconsider, since worms keep them from eating their regular feed. Remember? LOL

Personally? I think it is the lousy weather we have been having with lack of light that has them off their game, as far as eggs are concerned. I haven't had an egg in almost a week. I think they are on sympathy strike with my best layer that has recently gone broody.

I hope everyone's hens stay laying soon....cuz I have subscribed to far to may threads and am having a hard time keeping up with them all.

 

[rancher hicks]

Cass, I'm not kidding.


I did go away for a week and so others were feeding them and I thought perhaps it was not enough light and DD may not have been letting them out early enough. Or giving them to much scratch.

That was a week ago.

I do remember the feed thing but they are on the same layer type feed, just in a different form and different brand. I may go back to Dumor. I've taken the tags off most feeds and compared them and they pretty much have the same thing.

I've not read whether chickens have a harder time digesting pellets over mash or crumbles either. Agway is in a paper bag and Dumor is plastic. Can't this make a difference in freshness. I wonder and don't know the answer. I'll have to check for freshness dates.

As for the worms. I wormed in early spring. I expect to do that twice a year but does anyone think there are exceptions to that rule and it needs to be done more often? Like if it's a wet spring. I don't recall reading this.

There are many OP's on worming.

Could it be a water thing where with the nipples they don't drink as much? I don't know. Is there a ratio of nipples to chickens? Currently I have three for 23 chickens in one coop.

 

[write2caroline]

I have not seen a lower number of eggs but I did notice in the early spring the actual size of the eggs were huge and now they are much smaller.

Sometimes we have more eggs than I know what to do with....I share them...donate them.....sell them......and sometimes I cook em up and feed them back to the girls. I love the chickens, and I am keeping them long after they are no longer producing - I have curbed my need for more chicks, I let my broody bantam hatch 4 eggs and I think they are all ROOS!!! AAARGH!!!! So I am just going to enjoy them for a while and not worry about production. I feed mine Layena, offer them purena scratch, oyster shell and let them free range too!

Last summer I had a bunch molt - this summer I have not noticed anyone molting.

Caroline

 

[Cass]

Quote:
I misunderstood your reference to "worming"....but I think they just missed you and your way of doing things. They'll pick up production soon.

Have you tried the stock pot rattle yet? "Here chickie chickie" Sometimes a little incentive goes a long way.

Because I store my feed IN my coop (in a clean trash can) I always buy in plastic bags. I just drop the whole bag right in the can. I figure it can't hurt and it may help keep the freshness. I am fortunate that my TSC is on my way to everything in my community so I don't buy "ahead" to save trips like many have to...I just buy one bag at a time and buy another bag when I serve the end of the open bag.

I should probably try worming mine, see if it helps. Same wet spring here and I feed them a lot of earthworms. (pinworm vector to the max)

I share your frustration at feeding for no return. My girls haven't laid an egg since one of the four went broody almost 2 weeks ago, and I gave away my last 8 eggs, so I have to buy eggs.

But the amusement factor keeps me feeding them regularly and cleaning the coop....hoping I will have eggs again soon. I'll cross my fingers for the both of us.

 

[rancher hicks]

I store feed by transferring it to kitty litter jugs. Then I can carry it easier in my little red wagon. And I can stock up if I need to. I figure that should keep it fresh long enough. I have over 50 birds i figure..

Now if you didn't live so far away I'd give you plenty of eggs. Sales ebb and flow. Plus I tell folks all the time I hatch bunches in the spring and may have extra chicks. You just gotta check. But check early cuz I like to hatch late winter for early layers.

Anyhow I just don't get it. They were laying 18 a day when I left. Now 6. 4 From 22 21 of which are Dels. most of those new layers. and 2 from the others. 1 dom from two and 1 EE from two.

Guess it's time to start singing. "We'll have chicken and dumplings when she comes, yum, yum, we'll have chicken and dumplings when she comes ....................................."