We currently have about 45 "laying" chickens and get about 6-10 eggs a day. Before we moved, we were getting about 20-25 eggs a day. However, we think we were losing quite a few to hidden nests since they were free ranging, so we don't know exactly how well they were laying.
In this blog we'll look at some of the reasons chickens stop laying and what we're going to try.
Housing
One of the reasons we think they are not laying very well now is because they used to be free ranging, so they might be stressed because we put them in tractors. If they had been raised in the tractors since they were little, they probably would have been fine.
So now we have them all together in an electric fence that we plan to move every day.
If your chickens aren't laying and you haven't changed anything, see if they are overcrowded, if you are moving them every day 4 square feet per chicken is the
minimum.
Nest Boxes
Chickens like to have a small, secluded spot to lay their eggs. If the nest boxes are too open, dirty, or there aren't enough that could also stress them to the point where they wouldn't lay. You should have about one nest box per five chickens. We attached milk crates together to make a portable nesting arrangement for our chickens.
Diet
There have been reports of chickens who weren't laying on their regular pellet diet and then started laying when fed a different animal's feed.
The theory is that a "they" are putting something in the feed to stop chickens from laying so people can't raise their own eggs and have to rely on the stores.
We have always fed organic chicken feed, so we are hoping that's not the problem. If our chickens don't start laying after a week then we'll try feeding them goat feed to see if that works.
Age
Chickens only lay well for about two years. If you bought chickens from someone who said they were "about a year old" or "just started laying", and they aren't laying, I would be very suspicious that they are much older than that, especially if they aren't clearly younger chickens.
Chickens that are around a year old typically look nicer than older chickens, their feathers are usually smooth and in good condition. At around two years old their feathers start to look pretty worn.
Health
Chickens that are sick or have a heavy parasite load may also stop laying. If you suspect parasites, Basic H from Shaklee is a natural dewormer.
To give it to your chickens all you have to do is put it in their water (about a tablespoon per 5 gallons) for a few days.
There have been many reports of success in using this, some have even been confirmed by tests, however, if your chickens are living on dirt being constantly exposed to the parasites this may not work so well. Pasture rotation is a very important part of managing parasites.
If Nothing is Working
Some people are actually suspecting that the chickens' genetics have been altered. We really hope not, but if we can't get our chickens to lay well regardless of what we do, then we will likely switch to ducks for eggs since our ducks are still laying.
Khaki Campbells are supposed to lay really well and be good foragers.
If you don't want to raise ducks, quail are another option for eggs.
Is anyone else having problems with their chickens laying?
Yes
No
Yes, but it has been solved
If you have any tips or suggestions, please contact us!
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