Chickens not laying

[gillian62]

My 12 chickens, a mixture of bantams and LF, hybrids and breeds are only giving me about 5 eggs a day between them. I take into consideration that the breeds don't lay most days. The majority of the hens are 18months old or younger, 2 are about 2 1/2 years old.

I'm not sure what the problem is - I feed them more than I used to - layer pellets until late afternoon, and then some greens later in the day.

I did have a problem with a number of the bantams going broody earlier in the spring, but that episode is well over now.

The only thing I have done differently is that they used to have the greenhouse to settle in during the day, and that was one of their laying places. However, the garden does have plenty hidey holes to lay in, and they have access to the coops and nesting boxes all day long.
With the rising cost of layer pellets the chickens are costing me more for less eggs now.
Any suggestions would be greatfully received.

[RichmondHens]

First of all do you worm them regularly? Heavy worm burdens can put a hen off lay. Ditto for lice. And do they all look like they should be in lay with bright red combs? Have you checked the gap between the pin bones either side of the vent - big gap (three fingers in LF) means in lay, smaller then not.

Secondly, as they obviously have the run of the garden to lay in, are you sure the eggs are not being laid and then taken by magpies or other vermin? We have a big problem here with crows, jackdaws and magpies taking the feed, so far they have not made it into the houses for the eggs but they did steal some fake eggs I left outside!!

The other thing is, are you sure there is not a hidden nest somewhere that you haven't discovered yet and some of them are laying into that? Just a thought.

I do agree that at this time of year you should be getting more eggs, and none of your hens are old. The hybrids may well slow down after 2 1/2 years but should not have stopped yet.

[gillian62]

I hadn't thought about worming. What do you suggest?

I have used DE for red mite etc, although I have never had a problem with that.

The only other thing is that I haven't given them corn for a couple of months, but I don't think that should affect egg production.

All the chickens seem in good health otherwise.

I have checked the garden for hidden nests - nothing so far.

[Suechooks]

Flubenvet is the wormer most of us use. If you have enough chooks you can buy Marriages Layers pellets with Flubenvet in which saves mixing it but it comes in 20Kg sack which has a relativley short shelf life. Otherwise you can get Flubenvet online and you add it as described on the pack. Then feed only treated pellets for a week. Simples!

[frias]

My lot have access to pellets and greens all day. I've noticed that although they get a handful of corn to share at about 8pm they still fill up on a few pellets before going to roost. I'm getting 18 eggs a week from 3 laying hens. (The 2 old ex-batts no longer lay)
If you really want to find out if you have red mite, check the coop at midnight. I thought the Diatoms and other measures were working as there was no evidence of red mite but late night checks with a torch proved otherwise. (The only thing to work has been creosoting the perches.)
As Sue says, Flubenvet is the best wormer. Don't waste time using preventatives. Although they are fine between worming.