Wyandottes have taken a very extensive laying break

[MsMeryl]

Hello! I have twelve Wyandotte hens, half of them are four years old and the other half three. A year ago they stopped laying (I assume moult, winter, etc), however, when spring came around again they never really started again. We went from ten eggs a day, to two, to one every couple of days.
There are no signs of lice or mites but I have treated them and the coop just in case; they have been treated for worms regularly; their run is approx 150m sq; fresh water; and their feed is 15% protein (I’ve tried higher but it didn’t seem to change anything?). Nothing is stealing the eggs as we’ve tried leaving the one we do find for a couple of days. They used to free range but too risky with foxes and tearing up my veg garden!!
I’m wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience and if changing anything helped? I know hens don’t maintain their laying production forever, but they were only two and three years old when they stopped laying, as heritage breeds. Husband is threatening removal so I’d love some advice!! Thank you in advance.

 

[aart]

and their feed is 15% protein (I’ve tried higher but it didn’t seem to change anything?)

How long did you try a higher protein?
15% is pretty low.

 

[MsMeryl]

Hi aart,
I tried higher protein for around a month or so - I will go back to it and try for longer.
Do you ever supplement with high protein foods like sardines or mealworms?
Thank you so much for replying.

 

[LaFleche]

I would feed them at least 18% crude protein as in grower or all flock with crushed oyster shell free choice.

No meal worms as they contain way too much fat.
Try some greek yoghurt or scrambled eggs in their mashed pellets.

 

[MsMeryl]

Thank you LaFleche. Off to the feed store I go!!

 

[aart]

Do you ever supplement with high protein foods like sardines or mealworms?

No, I feed a 20% all flock crumble...and a bit of scratch grains daily.
Rarely any other foods or treats or supplements.
Has worked well for 10+ years now.

 

[MsMeryl]

Excellent, thank you so much.

 

[Mid Wales chicken keeper]

Hello! I have twelve Wyandotte hens, half of them are four years old and the other half three. A year ago they stopped laying (I assume moult, winter, etc), however, when spring came around again they never really started again. We went from ten eggs a day, to two, to one every couple of days.
There are no signs of lice or mites but I have treated them and the coop just in case; they have been treated for worms regularly; their run is approx 150m sq; fresh water; and their feed is 15% protein (I’ve tried higher but it didn’t seem to change anything?). Nothing is stealing the eggs as we’ve tried leaving the one we do find for a couple of days. They used to free range but too risky with foxes and tearing up my veg garden!!
I’m wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience and if changing anything helped? I know hens don’t maintain their laying production forever, but they were only two and three years old when they stopped laying, as heritage breeds. Husband is threatening removal so I’d love some advice!! Thank you in advance.

Hi, I only have 3 hens, all 2 years old, the Calder ranger stopped laying last December, like you I assumed molt, and I also have tried everything but she hasn't laid since. The black rock has always laid every other day, but lately has stopped, the 3rd hen is a Warren, she's still very good.
Our next door neighbour used to free range his chickens, but put them in a run to stop them digging up people's gardens and after a few days they all stopped laying, so he fenced his garden (took him a few months) let them free range again and they all started laying again. We can't free range in our garden, stuffed full of poisonous plants, but we live next to a farmers field, so got his permission to cut a hole to his fence from the chicken run so our girls can range there. Now egg laying is improving. We encourage them back into the run well before dusk, as that's when foxes are on the prowl where I live, so far they are safe and happy.