They stopped laying!?!?!

[PJB]

My two wee pekins have been producing wonderfully since March, with only one exception of broodiness. But now, they've stopped! They aren't broody, but we have had two younger hens introduced to them in the last two weeks. Would that effect their egg production? I really can't think of anything else that's changed. Any thoughts??
PJB

[milly2306]

hi
are they in their second year? all birds start to moult in their second year of life and they stop laying during this process. mine have not been laying for 6 weeks but have just started again.

xxxmillyxxx

[Pumpkin Becki]

They might be a bit stressed from the introduction of the newbies, as things that happen today can still affect the egg production a fortnight later (like if they go without water for a day, for example).

You could try giving them a bit of Poultry spice on their feed, which would perk them up whether the problem is stress or the moult.

But do make sure no one is being bullied, and that none of the birds have got red mite (you'll need to check every nook and cranny of the house too), as the weather conditions have been perfect for a red mite population explosion.

Best of luck!

[PJB]

Thanks,

We did actually get one very lonely egg today which made me wonder if it was the newbies being introduced that's put them off. There is certainly no sign of moult, but I hadn't thought of red mite. They have spent a lot of time in the run recently rather than being in and out like they usually do. Grrr! Well, out with the disinfectant tomorrow just in case!

[vicky]

Check between the feather (esp near the vent) for mites.
Red mites check when they are roosting in the evening, run a bit of kitchen towel under the perch, if it gets red (blood) on it that's red mites.
Check the droppings for worms, or it doesn't hurt to worm once a month anyway.
It could well just be stress. Egg production is a month long process in the oviduct so if the cycle is broken it can take a while for it to resume (eggs can be reabsorbed into the body). Definately give poultry spice/live yoghurt/apple cider vinegar as a boost.

I got in a hen this spring that gave the others all of the above!!! Think egg production stopped for about 2 weeks.