Off Lay

[HayleyB]

Anyone else noticed a drop in egg production, my lot seem to have halved in the last few days and I was wondering about the warm weather

[MaureenHall]

My new ex-batts still haven't laid even 1 egg between them!!!!! I've had them 2 weeks now and I'd have thought by now they'd be settled in enough to produce.

They're in the coop that was invaded by the fox and although it's been thoroughly scrubbed out, disinfected, painted inside and out, am I being silly thinking they might not feel 100% "comfortable" in there? They go to bed quite happily, roost and sleep on the perches ok. They're eating and drinking ok, enjoy their treats of mealworms (just a few), mixed corn (just a bit before bed) and greens from the lottie. I don't know what else to do except sit and wait!!

[frias]

A couple of weeks ago I did think mine had gone into retirement. However 2 have started to lay again most days and Poppy who has always laid funny shaped eggs anyway has decided to lay one completely shell less egg a week. I think the warm weather is having some effect. My lot can't wait to get out of the covered run, then they just get under the childs gazebo on the lawn 'cos they are too hot in the sun.

[Suechooks]

Most of my ex-batts aren't laying. I think 2 are laying regularly about every other day and the others about 3 a week between 6. My Amber link, Black Rock, Sussex and Bluebelle all lay daily and the 5 year old Speckledy every other day. So it just seems to be the ex-batts. I hope they're having a well earned rest/ retirement!

[RichmondHens]

Mine are still pumping them out - can't keep up with them. They have been in full flood since end of January. I am expecting a dip sometime in the next month though, as they tend to slow down as summer wears on.

With your ex-batts though Maureen, are they having to feather up a bit? That will obviously delay laying as their energy will be going into feather production.

[MaureenHall]

Yes, they're just finishing moulting too, though as far as ex-batts go, they didn't look too bad on the whole (feather-wise that is)

[Snadger]

Yes, they're just finishing moulting too, though as far as ex-batts go, they didn't look too bad on the whole (feather-wise that is)

Probably preaching to the converted here but I would be guided by there combs.........if they are red and flushed they should be laying or close to it.
All mine have flushed combs but egg production varies because of the differing ages of the chooks.
I would like mine to have a bit of a rest but just as I think egg production is starting to dwindle they surprise me with 11 out of 12 like today!
They have served me very well and have been in full lay all winter......it's about time the poor beggers had a rest!

[chicken slave]

Mine are down since the weather got warmer over the last week or so, I have given them more shelter but it doesn't seem to have encouraged them much.

[dozey1]

My ex bats have apart from one and even then it is mostly every other day. Being honest though as Snadger said they deserve a break... I just make sure i buy totally free range instead!!!!

[Nicos]

I'm getting 2 eggs a day from 3 chooks. Am waiting for the POL to start....there are a few feathers about in the coop- but no obvious moulting going on .

[HayleyB]

I was worried that the bees in the wall next door might be putting them off. The drop occurred almost immediately after the bees moved in and it just seemed too much of a coincidence considering they all arrived at three different times; 1st lot November, 2nd lot December and the 3rd lot middle of March

[frias]

Nothing to do with the drop in eggs but do your hens try to catch the bees? One of mine chases flies and anything else that moves and I did wonder what would happen if she gets a bee or wasp.

[HayleyB]

Mine actively leap at flys and did try to catch a bee today although missed

[Glutton4...]

I only got 8 eggs from 20 Hens today! It's cold wet and miserable, so I guess that's why. It may not have helped that I left their feeders empty today too, as they had spread the pellets all over the ground, so I refused to give them any more until they had cleared up! (wicked Mummy that I am!) When it was warm and sunny I was getting loads.

[lizzylemon]

I had a similar problem a while back for no apparent reason - I was down to 1 egg every other day if I was lucky from 3 girls, which peed me off a bit. As I was a bit narked in general (not that long after losing Hendrix so was feeling 'odd') I decided to be a bit hard hearted and stopped all treats.

I still don't do the treat thing even now as eggs are way up (yesterday I got 4), I just make sure they have access to as many pellets as they want (I too leave it on the floor if they chuck it everywhere) and make sure theres loads of water, specially in the heat as not enough water can have a knock on effect in egg production.

Maybe put the girls on a 'detox' diet for a week or two and next time it's hot an additional bucket / water hopper type thing for them.......it seems to have worked for me.

Good luck!