| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| farmmilkmama |
Posted - Apr 05 2010 : 2:26:57 PM
Our six hens have been here two and a half weeks. When they first got here, we were getting a couple eggs a day (total, not from each hen). Now the past week or so we are getting one egg every third day (total, not from each hen)So...like only two eggs total this entire past week. Four of the hens are seven months old (supposedly) and two of them are older (about two years old). I think it is one hen who is laying the eggs we are still getting because they are all the same color (white) and the other ones were laying cream colored or speckled.
I asked the guy at the feed store and he said one of two things could be happening. Either Brownie Ba gawk is freaking them out (either mounting them all the time or being so bossy that he's scaring them) or they are molting, a little early for this time of year, but still could be the issue since we went from 30 degree highs to 75-80 degree highs in this span of two weeks.
I wasn't thinking it was Brownie, because he doesn't mount them a whole lot...but I was just outside and one is making herself a little nest (she always lays on the ground in the coop, doesn't lay in the boxes normally) and he will NOT leave her alone. She lays down and start pulling wood shavings/chips up around her and he's trying to lay right next to her and get in behind her...not to mount her, I think...he actually looks like he's going to fall asleep!! So I watched this for awhile and he follows her wherever she goes and just has to be right next to her. Its weird. So maybe he IS the problem?
What do you guys think? Should I try separating him from the gals for a week and see if their egg production goes up? Should I assume its the weather? They are getting layer mash and "treats" and the feed store guy didn't see any issue with what they were eating or that it would be the problem with laying. Advice is greatly appreciated :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| amomfly |
Posted - Apr 07 2010 : 01:39:41 AM
I really agree with you Malina. Good luck and give them time. I have hens who never laid till nearlly 10 mos. Just give it time and enjoy your new flock!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| Melina |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 1:10:45 PM
Used to have a commercial chicken laying house and the problems you are seeing are two-fold. First, the young hens are just barely ready to lay. They are also probably where the soft eggs are coming from. Think young girls and their first couple of monthly cycles. A pullet will lay a marble-sized egg, then nothing, then a couple of smallish eggs, then a double-yolker or two. It's like a young girl getting regulated on her cycle. As for the egg production dropping, a move will often do it and it can take a month for them to recover. It's like throwing them into an instant molt. They are still getting used to the new surroundings, the rooster, you, etc. Give them time and good food. The older hens should be laying at about 50-75% of what they did their first year. I've had hens lay for 8 years, although at the end it was maybe one or two a week.
Unfortunately, the rooster may be eating the eggs, too, especially if he is crowding into the nest with them.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 09:41:58 AM
Also sounds like you have an over zealous rooster!
Hate to say this 'case we chicken people don't need much excuse to get more chickens, but you might need more hens to lighten the load and keep him busy.
And if all else fails, he might need a time out for a few days. Although sometimes this makes it worse |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 09:37:59 AM
We get the softies every now and again. And here recently, really tiny eggs from newer hens who have also just started to lay.
If your ladies are new to this, it might take their systems a bit to get into a laying schedule.
I assume they have good access to fesh water too?? This makes a HUGE difference
Might try adding a few extra greens into their diet. Maybe some cooked spinach, kale or mustard. All have high levels of A C and calcium |
| farmmilkmama |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 09:32:25 AM
All the hens are from the same farm, we got them at the same time. The rooster was a stray that showed up at home a couple days before that.
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 08:20:01 AM
Chickens will lay a "soft" shelled egg every once in a while. However if it continues it could be that she isnt getting enough calcium. I would suggest using oyster shell. I dont give my chickens egg shells becuase unless you really clean and bake them well the chickens can get a taste for the eggs and start eating them.
If she continues to lay soft eggs it can be a sign of chicken disease and your whole flock could be sick and that could be why they are not laying well. did you get all your chickens at the same time from the same place?
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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| sherrye |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 07:53:36 AM
may i venture a guess too. maybe where they used to live they were short on oyster shell. feed must be at least 16 percent. if the nest boxes are not dark and private they will lay anywhere. the roo might know she is going to lay an egg and is waiting to eat it. i would pull the roo and let the hens settle. you can jump start them sometimes with extra protein source. how much daylight hours do you have where you are? they need 16 to be happy laying regular. all the suggestions offered are good. the change in where they live alone will mess their cycle up for awhile. hope you get eggs soon.sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 07:38:39 AM
Amy, my roos don't go near the hens in the nests. Maybe he's just in love and can't stand to be too far away from her. And every now and then I will find a thin shelled egg. But it's rare. As long as they are getting enuf calcium they should be fine.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| farmmilkmama |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 05:57:20 AM
thanks for the advice gals. I don't think they are broody, as they aren't setting at all. I have one who lays her eggs on the ground in the coop and it must be another one who is laying in the boxes. Although I don't know because I never see WHO is laying in the boxes. (I realized yesterday that its two different hens who are doing the laying, since the one never lays in the boxes and the three eggs we found before that were all up in the boxes, same box, same color, a few days apart).We have not found any broken eggs or shells. We go out to check for eggs three times a day. When we got the younger hens they were seven months old, so we are working on almost 8 months old now. I guess we will just wait and see! No snakes here yet...as far as I know.
Does anyone know why Brownie would be trying to be right by Gertie when she's laying? Is that a normal rooster thing or is he just "special"?
Also, why would a hen all of a sudden lay a really thin shelled egg? They are getting layer mash and egg shells crushed up and mixed in. Gertie (the floor layer) hasn't ever laid one with a thin shell, but the egg she laid yesterday was so thin that it broke when I picked it up.
Thanks for your continued help in un-greening this farmgirl!!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
| amomfly |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 05:21:12 AM
Just my two cents...If the younger hens are really 5 mos. they may not be ready to lay and so all you are getting is the older hens eggs. Broody hens are great! I have one who is sitting on like 20 eggs! If one want to brood let her... it is free chicks.
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 05:11:33 AM
I also thought they might be eating them. Have you noticed any pieces of shell in the nests? If I drop an egg those hens are right on it. They love their own eggs.
I hope they start again for you. That's so annoying to get used to those good eggs then they stop. I always have that happen to me. Then I'll sell them and they start right back laying again. Mine have been laying good all winter and I've been selling the eggs. But I am always so afraid they'll stop when I have none. So that last dozen could always be the last dozen.Who knows.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 04:28:56 AM
what a mystery...good luck!
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
farmgal #150 |
| Annab |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 03:33:59 AM
Guess it all depends on what everybody's hens are used to
I come from a family who makes and diasplays fireworks. For 5 summers now we have invited friends to the farm and put on professional fireworks displays.
Always was afraid the chickens would stop laying for at least a week. But nope. They still keep on a-gettin' it even the next day!
Is it too early for snakes where you are?
I keep half expecting to find a reduced number in our own boxes. So far we average close to 2 dozen |
| EastTXFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 05 2010 : 4:51:52 PM
You hens may be brooders. This is the time of the year for it. Are they staying on the nest alot? I have 4 brooding right now and one did not have any eggs under her until we put them there. If they are brooders they will stop laying and just sit. It lasts about 3 weeks. Most people think they will only do that if they have a brood of egg under them but that is not the case at all. Its a hormonal thing and when it hits it hits.
Begin each morning with a song in your heart. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Apr 05 2010 : 4:34:08 PM
Many chickens will stop laying once they reach 2 years of age. They will at least drop Production. Make sure they are getting pleanty to eat. If their protein balance is too low they will stop laying. Stress can also cause birds to quit laying. Moving to your farm was stress. Sometimes things as simple as a dog barking at them or even loud thunder can drop production for a few days! Take a look at your younger girls. Are their combs and wattles bright red?? If not they may not be laying yet. Also new layers may not lay every day. You might get an egg for a few days and then non for a few. Birds are silly!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
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| Ms.Lilly |
Posted - Apr 05 2010 : 3:39:59 PM
Amy- There could be a few more reasons. Did the previous owner have them under light to simulate the 14 hours of daylight to trigger egg laying? If so and you don't then they are readjusting. Also are you feeding the same food that they had previously? I don't think you rooster is the problem, I have 3 roo's in with about 42 hens and they are always busy! Your 2 yo hens are probably the ones laying every three days and that would be normal for their age. If you really feel the problem is the roo then try separating them for a few weeks and see what happens, you can always put him back in with the hens. If none of that helps the you can always do what I do......Tell them they are going to the stew pot if they don't get busy, usally I get more eggs the next day.
Lillian |
