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Luton Chooks

Production been slow all winter - now stopped :(

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Hi All,

 

Long time since my last post but I know where to come to get the right advice!

 

Our three chooks have had a pretty lean winter in the egg production department but I put that mainly down to the weather and dark days.

 

However, in the last couple of weeks production has stopped all together except for soft eggs (2 so far this week - not sure who by though). The hens all look in good shape, they're active and always hungry as usual.

 

I thought maybe worming may be a good idea so last weekend they had a 3 day course of VermX and I've added poultry grit to their food. Their food for ages has been Marriages organic layers mash so I decided to revert back to pellets for a while.

 

So far - nowt... I can't think what else to try. What age do hens actually stop laying regularly?

 

Cheers for any advice that could be offered.

 

Steve

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Our hens stopped laying for about 6 months, but a couple of weeks ago, Sylvia started up again and has produced 12 eggs in the last fortnight. Both Mabel and Sylvia are Lohmann Browns and we're had them for 3 years. I think Mabel has given up but Sylvia is going full steam ahead.

 

Sheila

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Have you...

 

* checked them thoroughly for lice and mites?

 

* checked for hidden nests under bushes/behind sheds etc?

 

* thought about giving a calcium supplement if they've been producing softies such as Davinova-C or Limestone Flour?

 

* made sure that layers meal makes up the majority of their diet and aren't giving too many treats?

 

* checked to see if they are underweight? Can you feel a sharp breastbone poking out?

 

* checked to see if they are too fat!

 

* checked to see if they are being stressed in any way? Barking dogs, noisy children, vermin, noisy machinery, bullying?

 

My Pepperpot is now 4 and a half and provides an egg most days but they say hybrids reach the end of their laying days anywhere from 4-5 years of age. Not very specific and it has to depend on the bird.

 

Good luck!!

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