Egg production down??

[sheena]

Since getting my 4 girl's on Saturday, egg prduction has been declining rather rapidly.

Am I doing something wrong?

Sunday we got 4 eggs, Monday and Tuesday we got 2, yesterday (Weds) we got just 1!

They have been moved from mash to pellets gradually, still using a mixture of both til the end of the week.
Possibly had a stressful day yesterday when we were extending their run, so couldn't of been very nice for them to have the noise of the tools.

Couldn't of been too bad tho, as this morning was the first time one of them had used the ladder to come out the house. Since we got them, we have had to put them to bed and get them up in the morning.

They haven't been picking on each other, there's been a one or two squabbles but nothing to suggest a full on fight (good in my book). No-one is sitting in corners, tails are all up too.

My only thought is that the grit they have been having doesn't have oyster shell in, could that be a problem?
Any thoughts appreciated, but thinking my first trek is gonna be to get some oyster shell for them.

[shirlthegirl43]

I expect they have been affected by the change in home. Are they ex-batts? If so, they have a lot of new stuff to get used to. Don't worry, give them a chance to get settled in and they will start to lay again. Also, if they are ex-batts, there is a chance they will be due to moult which will put them off lay for a while.

[sheena]

Could well be, I noticed that they got some new feathers coming (they are ex-batts) and they have nice set of down coming aswell to keep them warm.

Think i'll sit tight for a couple of days and see what occurs. Fingers crossed.
Thanks Shirley

[KimT]

Just give them time as they have had all the stress of moving to anew home.

Don't worry your girls will be laying again soon.

[kirsty b]

Ex-batts not likely to lay when new feathers are coming because they put all their energy into growing them instead of laying. Had it with mine when I first rescued them, and now when they moult, egg laying drops right off for a good few weeks. Give them poultry spice in their food if you don't already, it will help keep them nice and healthy while they re-feather.

[dozey1]

I have 4 ex bats rescused last Oct and they laid right up until a month ago and i am only getting one a day but they have all been in moult so i guess they are resting up to get their new feathers...

[Suechooks]

Remember they've undergone a really stressful time coming out. Even though we think it's great to see them outside, they only know life in a tiny cage. They need time to adjust and learn about real life. Give them time and remember they've been released as they are past their best so you can't expect full production even though most of them do carry on laying most days.

[flowerofshona]

I have 9 we picked up 3 weeks ago and only 3 are laying but that is not worrying me ! they have spent their whole lives eating and producing eggs and now its their time to relax a little !
If you need 4 eggs a day you would have been been better getting point of lay girls, these girls may never give you regular amounts of eggs but every one they do give me i thank them for
We tried to get them onto layers pellets and they really didnt like it o we have put them back on the layers mash, they love it so maybe put them back on the mash ??? I have mine on Limestone and poultry spice to give them a boost as they are growing their feathers back and need some extra help.
Give them time to settle in hun and enjoy them for the special creatures they are

[Snadger]

The reason they are ex bats is because they have past the stage of being cost effective for the farmer.
Mine were put straight on layers pellets and had to either like it or lump it. If they are hungry enough they will eat them.
It was 2 weeks before I even got an egg and this gradually increased until nigh on full production. This was through the winter months too............I just wish mine would take a break now as they have earned it.
They still have a lot of laying to do, only it may be a bit more sporadic than one a day.
Give them time until they adjust to their new environment and I'm sure they will reward you with a plentiful supply of eggs!

[sheena]

Yeah I know they won't lay everyday Snadger, but had expected maybe a 2 a day at least. But I think I was just panicking yet again.

I managed to get 2 today, which is good enough for me.
And I think the ladder is becoming a popular attraction, as 2 of the girl's took themselves off to bed tonight! Bless them

[RedThorn]

When we got our ex-battts, we got a few eggs the first few days and then vitrually nothing for about 2 weeks, now 2 months later we're getting between 2-3 day We only got 3 of the 4 left.