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Barnyard Buddies:  Help Crazy Chickens Not Laying Eggs  |
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highlandviewpantry
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
WV
USA
214 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 09:13:05 AM
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My poor girls are about seventeen months old and after their first molt won't lay regularly. Somedays we get no eggs from 24 layers. I do not think they are eating the eggs. I switched to a higher protein feed. Any more ideas? They are Buff Orpingtons and Black Austrolorps - which are cool weather chickens - Maybe it is just too warm in West Virginia right now?
www.thehighlandviewpantry.blogspot.com |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2010 : 8:33:04 PM
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How long ago did they molt? It takes awhile after they are done before they'll start again. Also, changing the feed might do it, even though you've changed to a higher protein. Changing feed can throw them completely off, especially if the protein source is different from what they're used to. Low pressure fronts can also affect them. When we had our commercial operation, we could tell that a front came through, even if it didn't change the weather. The egg production would be way down. This was especially true in the fall. If you can take the time to just watch and listen, you'll see whether they are going into the nest boxes and talking about laying. If they just go outside and sun themselves, they aren't laying and then eating eggs. Hope they start back up soon for you. It can be a big frustration.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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Cavalli Runner
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Brenda
Mercer
MO
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2010 : 05:05:17 AM
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We have been having the same problem with ours. We were told we should increase the hours of light with the shorter days, so hubby put a light in with a timer so the light comes on a few hours before the sun comes up and then again for an hour or two in the evening after the sun drops down. The banties have started to pick up their laying, but we are still waiting on the Americaunas and the Marans.
Question: How often do you worm your chickens, if at all? And what do you use? I have been wondering if we should do that. Some of their droppings seem a little loose to me.
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9678 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9678 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2010 : 05:51:52 AM
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We have B;lack Australorps and its the only kind we've ever had. No matter their age if there is starting to be shorter days they won't lay as much. We usually keep a flock of about 24 or so but there have been times when we have not gotten any eggs.
We have four hens left. We don't butcher so they have been dying of old age. They no longer lay eggs since they are predestined with a certain amount of eggs and then they are done. Obviously yours are too young for that but give them time they will start up again. By Spring you will have more eggs than you know what to do with.
We have never wormed our chickens and we have had many flocks.
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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highlandviewpantry
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
WV
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2010 : 06:54:49 AM
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I have never wormed my chickens either. Yesterday I put fake eggs back in their nesting boxes to inspire them. We'll see what happens.
www.thehighlandviewpantry.blogspot.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2010 : 07:02:26 AM
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we worm our chickens naturally. we use DE in their food bin and in the cow milk they drink. we then also use ACV in their water tanks. one ounce of raw ACV to a gallon of their water. we do this for all our livestock. we also put lights on the birds so they get over 16 hours daylight so they will lay. it may take some weeks for them to come up in production. sure hope this helps. just a thought or two happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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highlandviewpantry
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
WV
USA
214 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: Help Crazy Chickens Not Laying Eggs |
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Help Crazy Chickens Not Laying Eggs
