wondering?? egg production

[mmclaughlin]

I was wondering if egg production can be affected by having a hen sitting on eggs??
Can this affect the others laying?? I know my broody isn't laying but the others seem "off" on egg laying??
everyone is acting ok...
just curious
Michelle

 

[Wynette]

That's an interesting question! I can't say as I've noted a difference in the other hens' laying habits if one goes broody. With the exception that they'll try to lay in the broody's nest so that she can hatch THEIR eggs, as well. You'll want to be very careful about that, because if yoru broody gets too many eggs to set, she won't be able to cover them all.

 

[aart]

Is your broody setting in the 'favorite' nest...and banning anyone from joining her?
Are the other girls laying somewhere else maybe? Do you free range?

 

[mmclaughlin]

well It seemed to be the "fav" nest... but the middle nest (there are 3) seemed to have always been the overflow nest.. and that's where the rest of the girls are laying..I see no other places in the run they are laying.. they do get some supervised free range time every day but not enough that they could be laying elsewhere.
the girls are laying but just seems daily/weekly quantity is down a bit
I'm not worried but just wondering if anyone else had noticed??
thanks Michelle

 

[aart]

I don't have broodies but egg production does vary for who knows what reason.

8 mixed mutt hens, non high production breeds, between 1-2 years old I get between 2-8 eggs a day...some weeks the average is 3-5 per day some weeks average 5-7 per day.

There are some stressors that affect laying that are obvious to us, and probably more that are not obvious to us.