Why do we have no eggs?

[DellaMyDarling]

For WEEKS now, I have maybe an egg or two per day from the chickens.

Last week I blamed the extreme heat.
Week before that I blamed the disruption our three day vacation likely caused them.
Weeks one and two prior to that I was blaming the potential interference of the chick integration, changing of which doors or windows were open, just general accessibility to the nesting boxes in peace.

The heat index is tamed. The chicks are long past integrated. The birds have open access all day to their coop and boxes via the main doorways while they free range.
Only twice have we found any eggs in random places. Yes, I've had kids checking everywhere! Even following the gals around!

I have 9 mature hens.
It's been a very long time since I've seen eggs or laying behaviors from at least 3 of the oldest hens (they're about 5 now, so I'll give them a pass.)
Still, that should be as many as 6 eggs per day. I give occasional passes to my two blue egg layers who don't seem to naturally lay on the daily, but still contributed greatly to the egg cartons.

I don't have enough eggs to sell anymore! Which means no equity for feed in, egg out math! Help!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Check for lice and mites. Have a fecal float done.

That would be where I would start.

 

[BullChick]

The list is long. I’d still blame the new chicks, or hiding eggs.
21hens is also correct about icky creepy things.

 

[getaclue]

I agree with 21hens. Also, check for predator activity, mice/rats.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I'm thinking age, heat, water consumption, stress etc. Are they molting at all?

 

[DellaMyDarling]

I did a super thorough mite attack about 6 to 8 weeks ago.
Real good, real hard. Hens were instantly happier.
I'll give them a check over, but no other telltale signs screaming mites anymore.


I've never done a fecal.
I suppose one cannot eliminate that possibility.

No molter's.

 

[Perris]

I vote hidden nests.

Only twice have we found any eggs in random places.

demonstrates that your girls have it in them to lay elsewhere - they can be quite cunning. I have one who managed to hide a nest of 10, even when I was on the lookout because I'd already located nests of hers with 2,3 or 4 in them...and of course the others copy the independent one...

 

[aart]

I vote hidden nests.
demonstrates that your girls have it in them to lay elsewhere - they can be quite cunning. I have one who managed to hide a nest of 10, even when I was on the lookout because I'd already located nests of hers with 2,3 or 4 in them...and of course the others copy the independent one...

I'll second that^^^

First, exams....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[Chickassan]

I think they're gearing up to molt.
Seriously, it is happening here lol.
Between broodies and molting i'm getting three eggs tops out of nine hens.
Kicker the broody prone hens aren't molting even a little.

 

[aart]

I think they're gearing up to molt.
Seriously, it is happening here lol.
Between broodies and molting i'm getting three eggs tops out of nine hens.
Kicker the broody prone hens aren't molting even a little.

Yeah, that too^^^

Funny, my broody who had some gnarly funky feathers when she started setting 2 months ago has grown some new ones replacing the funky feathers and is now laying again.