Why the slow down?

[JustMandy]

I have 6 layers, they are 8 months old and a few weeks ago, we were getting 4-6 eggs a day. Now I'm getting 1-3. What's the deal?

My guesses (please agrue for or against them):

Shorter days-but they aren't that much shorter??
I added some 2-3 mo old chicks to the flock about a month and a half ago-two are roos??

They aren't molting, I haven't changed their food.

What could it be?

 

[gettinaclue]

My ladies are slowing down too. I have 10. I was getting 7-8 eggs a day. Now I'm getting 4-6. Sigh.

 

[Kittymomma]

It's just that time of year. You can put a light on a timer out in your coop to keep it at 14 hrs of light a day and production up. I like to keep the girls on their natural schedule so don't add light, but I've got around 50 birds right now so it's not like the family doesn't have enough eggs, sales just go down.

 

[JustMandy]

Hm. Thanks for answering. Now I have to decide if I'll put a light in there or not...

 

[piper2009]

Mine slowed down for about 2 weeks due to molting, but are now laying again.

Alexis

 

[woodmort]

Probably light and temperature plus they can't keep that egg-a-day schedule and need a chance to regroup. It also depends on breed, some lay better, more consistently than others--I'm getting an egg a day from my RSL but my RIR and SS have gone to one every 2nd or 3rd day and they have only been laying for a month.