age of hen and eggs

[becslb]

Hi, I have 3 warrens - all 2 1/2 years old... only 1 has been laying for the past 2 ish months, I occasionally (maybe 2-3 times) have had a soft shelled egg or an egg with a very thin shell as well.

I have wormed them, they have been checked for lice/mites (and powdered as a preventative), house is currently clear of mites (and I spray regulary as we have had mites before) urm... they have oyster egg shell and I give baked crushed egg shells, has been suggested I give a dash of cider vinegar in their water etc... 1 hen was being bullied but I seem to have stopped that...

They all seem happy, 2 will crouch (including regular laying hen); 1 (bullied one) will crouch but not always, they have nice red combs - no difference between any of them...

So... is it age as to why there are no eggs? or am i missing something?

[Glutton4...]

Have you tried searching their run, to see if anyone is laying elsewhere, maybe hiding a clutch under a plant, or under the coop?

I'm beginning to realize that the old 'egg a day' is a bit of a myth - I've only had chooks for 18 months, but never had a 'full house' in all that time. The best ratio I had was 6 from 8 ex-Batts when I got the first lot. The more Hens I've accumulated the lower the ratio seems to be, but they are getting older, so I don't expect loads, as I'm sure they only lay about 3 a week each now.

Good luck with them!

[roitelet]

It could be age. Hens have a finite laying life. They are hatched with a given number of eggs and for a period of time lay well after that the laying rate drops off. That is why battery hens are culled or rescued, they will still lay but not at a commercial rate. However all hens go off the lay from time to time. They have to have a rest!!!!!

I am sure someone else will be along with more advice soon.

[RichmondHens]

Warrens are hybrids bred for high productivity in their first season. I'm presuming they laid well as younger birds, and it is only now that the production has dropped off, which suggests it is an age thing, although 2.5 years is not old for a hen generally, although hybrids do not live as long as pure breeds. Are you are still feeding mainly layers pellets, with not too many treats?

Like G4, I have hens that lay at different rates according to breed, age etc. My most productive this year have been the young Cream Legbars and Minorcas, who pretty much all lay every single day. I also have some older (3 and 4 year olds) sussex crosses who lay every day too. Then I have the slow but steady Welsummers who lay every other day, regular as clockwork, but not more often than that. They're all different, but that's why we love them!

[becslb]

There are no hidden eggs... I have searched high and low - we had that for two weeks last year but I am going to double check as soon as the rain stops!.

They get layers pellets and very few treats.

They all started laying between 23-25 weeks and we found we had an egg a day from each with a "missed" egg every so many days (I can't remember exactly now!) which fitted in with what I had read. Last winter they laid straight through (which I had been told warrens/hybrids do) and this winter it has been more hit and miss as to when they have laid but now this drop off from 2 of the hens hence my wondering of age...

We only have a small garden so can't have more than 3-4 hens tbh.. so to get more hens we would have to cull but 1. these are pets (belong to my sons) 2. dh doesn't want any more hens and 3. I was hoping to have a allotment by now and have moved them and expanded my flock to the allotment - kind of solving all problems in one go!! (but council has decided land found is now not suitable due to access/road saftey so the 30 of us on the waiting list are playing the waiting game)....

ah well... I guess as long as they are happy and healthy

[frias]

Out of 6 hens, 3 of my ex-batts (Warrens) have completely retired, 1 is broody so not laying at the moment and 1 ex-batt lays nearly every day. The Welsummer lays at 7am one day, lunch time the following day and in the evening the third day. Then she has day 4 off before starting again. My batties laid all through the winter too but I think they are but laid out now.

[becslb]

How old are they frias?

[frias]

I've had the oldest 2 just over 2 years and the younger 3 just over 1 year. So I guess they are about 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. One of the older ones is broody but is a very good layer when not broody.

[Suechooks]

I have an ex-batt who doesn't lay anymore - she's been "out" 2 and a half years so must be around 4 I think. Interestingly (maybe!) I have an Amber Link who is about 3 years old and she layed from the day she arrived as a POL in March 2008 until September 2009 and hasn't layed one since! She went into partial moult and hasn't really feathered up properly since. She's perfectly well and I suspect may be going to start again after her rest (8 months ) as she has started going into the nest box and making a terrible fuss if anyone else is in there. Hoping she does as her eggs were lovely quite dark and speckled.

[becslb]

so there maybe hope for my two if I let them have a rest! expensive eggs!! Oh well.... pets are sometimes just that!!

[frias]

I look at it this way. I've had horses,cats,dogs,guinea pigs and rabbits and not of them gave me eggs either.