ZERO egg production in a flock of 12 hens

[ladybrasa]

You'll have hen fruit in your basket before you know it!

Love this

 

[CynthiaDown]

Most likely from the molt and short days. What do you feed?

Layer crumbles then try to keep meal worms for the extra bit of protein but, for instance, out of mealworms right now

 

[Sally PB]

We'll have to see how it goes, but these chickens sure aren't carrying their weight!

I know exactly what you mean. I have to -- gasp! -- buy eggs! I've tried explaining to the girls how embarrassed it makes me feel at the grocery check out line. "Hey, what's this? You, buying eggs? Next thing you'll tell me is you have to buy manure for your garden."

My husband says I just need to hug the chickens a little harder, and eggs will pop out.

Joking aside, I know they'll do what they can when they can. One possible suggestion I can make regarding protein... I feed an all flock pellet that is 20% and have oyster shell on the side. That way I can give them some treats and not worry about lowering the protein. I give them greens, fruit and vegetable bits, BOSS, mealworms, and once a week they get the heel of a loaf of bread. Good luck!

 

[CynthiaDown]

I know exactly what you mean. I have to -- gasp! -- buy eggs! I've tried explaining to the girls how embarrassed it makes me feel at the grocery check out line. "Hey, what's this? You, buying eggs? Next thing you'll tell me is you have to buy manure for your garden."

My husband says I just need to hug the chickens a little harder, and eggs will pop out.

Joking aside, I know they'll do what they can when they can. One possible suggestion I can make regarding protein... I feed an all flock pellet that is 20% and have oyster shell on the side. That way I can give them some treats and not worry about lowering the protein. I give them greens, fruit and vegetable bits, BOSS, mealworms, and once a week they get the heel of a loaf of bread. Good luck!

Right!?! I'm hearing that you can feed them scrambled eggs for protein..... I'm thinking that if I go buy EXTRA eggs to feed these guys I've really gone over the edge LOL

 

[Allthefloofs]

Ours sometimes stop for almost two months during their molt. I have one that stops for almost 3 months. She's a diva. They are lucky they are pets and not expected to do anything material for their livelihood

 

[CynthiaDown]

Ours sometimes stop for almost two months during their molt. I have one that stops for almost 3 months. She's a diva. They are lucky they are pets and not expected to do anything material for their livelihood

Yes, they're lucky their so cute I do have one broody little silkie who will go broody for MONTHS at a time.... I haven't thought to look under her LOL .... that would be hillarious to see 12 eggs sitting under her little butt.

 

[MasAhora]

So, 2 dozen hens cannot give me even 1 egg per day! It's typical around Easter that as our weather cools and a few hens start molting we get fewer eggs... but this is ridiculous!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are you sure you don't have a snake or other varmint helping itself to the eggs? Do you have a camera?

 

[Kiki]

So, 2 dozen hens cannot give me even 1 egg per day! It's typical around Easter that as our weather cools and a few hens start molting we get fewer eggs... but this is ridiculous!

First thing to look at is what you feed your flock.
Unfortunately if they're molting they're probably not laying at all though.

 

[MasAhora]

First thing to look at is what you feed your flock.
Unfortunately if they're molting they're probably not laying at all though.

The feed is the best I can buy locally but it is the pre-winter molt, still to get one egg a day on average is pretty bad. Age might also be a factor, a few of the hens are more than 4 years old and several are still pullets.
Otherwise the girls are all acting normal and seem impervious to my dirty looks when I check the nest boxes.