Chickens not laying

Farrier1987 · Post by **Farrier1987** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 12:44 pm

So my 20 or so free range. Was getting about a dozen a day over the summer. Just in Sept they slowed down. Getting two a day right now. No moulting that I see. And yeah, there are some elderly hens there, but younger and pullets too. I have looked everywhere I can think for hiding spots. I put up a new picture of Colonel Sanders in the coop. I have given them pep talks and threatened. I also just started the light on the timer again.

Any ideas?

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 12:55 pm

Probably lights , shorter days . Mine are free range too & I have some CFL bulbs 9W on 24/7 in open barn , no egg production loss . Luck

argosgirl · Post by **argosgirl** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 2:04 pm

Haha I would love to hear the pep talks. Maybe add a KFC bucket for a more dramatic effect than the Colonel Sanders pic?

I agree with Ross, the short days mean adding lights. If you just started the light on the timer, give them some time to adjust. I also find it depends on the hen. My ameraucana girls pretty much shut down at this time of the year when they start to moult and I'll only get an egg a week from the three of them until spring. The white leghorns and the EOs barely slow down. The others fall in between the two extremes. I notice an overall drop in production for the winter, but I only keep the lights on long enough for me to able to do chores at night.

Flat Rock Farm · Post by **Flat Rock Farm** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 3:56 pm

Adding the extra light to their day is about all I can think of and maybe checking them for any bugs???

greatwhite · Post by **greatwhite** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 9:18 pm

My new Chickens (Raised from chicks) they are now 30 weeks. 1 Maran, 1 Aracana, 2 Easter eggers. But the most I have even gotten in 1 day is 3 eggs. The Maran has not only laid 4 in total. I have a light in the Pen. MY Chickens are not free range. I can't seem to figure out what the problem is.

modern17 · Post by **modern17** » Tue Sep 27, 2016 11:18 pm

The culprit here is nature and the changing seasons .In order to get birds to lay with more regularity we need to mimic June 21st everyday .. What it June 21st .. It's summer solstice ..aka the longest day (light cycle) of the solar rotation . The commercial poultry industry has figured this out many decades ago . We as poultry keepers tend to forget the importance of light in production . With this it does not mean we should leave lights on 24 hours a day as this is not found in nature ,but rather extend the light exposure to maintain acceptable production . When I want my birds to lay ( in breeding season usually late January ..) I increase the light up 14-16 hours a day by utilizing timers . I also use full spectrum lights which emits sunlight like light and vitamin d .. A trick that has been used for years in the cage bird hobby . Hope this helps you situation. From expierence threatening them does little lol
My 2 cents
TL

Post by **Killerbunny** » Wed Sep 28, 2016 5:08 pm

The old Swedish study from the '40s showed that 14 hrs is the optimum for laying. Extending beyond 16 didn't help and is just a waste of power. It also stresses the birds unnecessarily. This is also why with young pullets you gradually extend the light over a few weeks by 1/2 hr per week until that optimum is reached mimicking the natural situation.

TomK · Post by **TomK** » Wed Sep 28, 2016 11:40 pm

Okay....moult is on...eggs today dropped to seven...lowest in over a year...sigh...the new girls aren't ready...don't anyone tell me i have to 'buy' store eggs...i just may die

Post by **Killerbunny** » Thu Sep 29, 2016 6:16 am

I freeze eggs in 2 egg silicone muffin moulds and vacuum pack for the non-laying season. 2 eggs per compartment, brak ad stir gently with little salt, freeze, unmould and pack. Fine for baking, scramble and omelettes.

Chasinthedream · Post by **Chasinthedream** » Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:27 pm

Most likely light, but, have you de-wormed?