Why arent my chickens laying?

[CntryGrl1964]

A few months ago, the hens moulted. No problem. This has happened before. Egg production went down a little but was still getting about 8 to 9 eggs a day. Now, two months later, Im only getting 1 egg from about 17 hens. The hens age range from a little over a year to about three years, but during the spring, I was getting almost two dozen total. Now its dropped to nothing. I have also had chickens drop dead for no reason. One day they are fine, the next, the are lethargic, then I find them dead the next day or later that day. I have wormed them, treated them for mites, given them vitamins. Their coop is clean, they get fresh water. They free range. Once in a while I had found brown runny poop, so I treated them for coccydia just in case. Still find brown poop. Not everyone, just a few.
I talked to a chicken vet. She thought maybe I had some sort of microplasmia<sp> going on and just advised to get rid of everyone and get new chickens. But if its in the ground, the new hens will get it, too, right? I have looked at thier combs and even the younger hens combs are light pink, not red like they should be. The black Minorcas, who are the youngest, about a year and a half, should not have pink combs. Everyone eats good, seem perky, but only one egg. Any ideas?


CntryGrl1964

 

[AAA Breeders]

Since it's a lay problem then you have to think intestinal problems. That's the origine of non-laying. Trying on a large spectre antibiotic would do fine since you had drop dead cases. Had some myself but everything worked out fine when I used Gentamicine. It's the best intestinal antibiotic I use and from which I get excellent results. @CntryGrl1964

 

[ThePRfan]

After moulting they can stop laying for weeks.
The wheather may be a problem.

 

[CntryGrl1964]

Where do I get that? Before I do, I am trying to keep from using antibiotics to keep them organic. I hated using medicine for the coccydia, thinking that might be the problem, and then kind of mad after using it when it didnt work.
How much do you use? Dosage?
I am going to get some of that poop and get it analyzed since nothing is working so far. I just dont understand why only a few chickens are doing it.
Thank you for the advice. Maybe this will do the trick.

 

[ThePRfan]

Well since its laying issue,id try oster shell.
Why?
It assists the situation.How?
Because,it helps egg production,and etc.
Your birds might be sick or even stresssed.Any adult hens,roosters,dogs?
I would also like more info/pics of/on the hens.

 

[CntryGrl1964]

I give them oyster shell. I give them the top of the line feed and right now they are getting 22% protein layer pellets. I have them on light until 9pm. They have been wormed, twice. They have been treated for coccydia just in case. I have had their poop tested. Nothing in it to indicate worms or coccyx. They have been over moult for two months. Im stumped. Im only getting one or two eggs a week from almost 30 hens. <Shrugs>

 

[ThePRfan]

Any rpos

 

[CntryGrl1964]

Whats that?

 

[CntryGrl1964]

Whats that?

 

[CntryGrl1964]

Whats that?