rogdickinson Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 My lovely hens arrived about 2 months ago. Within the first week we were amazed that they started laying one egg each every day - we had been advised that it would take much longer. For the first 3 weeks of laying we had no problems - they were happy and laying about 6 eggs each per week, just as advertised. After that, for no apparent reason, the laying became sporadic and we have now had no eggs for a fortnight. They became very tame but now seem more timid and less sprightly. I’m fond of Sibyl & Audrey, they're great fun, but they were bought to provide food. I’m getting concerned that we’ll soon be eating them rather than their eggs!! I’ve just started a worming supplement and tonic – any other ideas? Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogdickinson Posted July 5, 2008 Author Share Posted July 5, 2008 Having said that I've started worming & tonic, they'e skillfully eaten all their feed and left a neat pile of the 2 additives!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 I don't have my chooks yet but I have read about them alot on here lol. Do you give them lots of treats? If so cut right back and make sure they eat all their layers pellets/mash. Do they have access to limestone flour incase they need a bit of help with the shells. Also give them/their home a good check over for lice and mites, both these things can put them off laying. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogdickinson Posted July 5, 2008 Author Share Posted July 5, 2008 Unfortunately they seem to like almost anything better than the layers pellets but maybe I'm being a little too kind to them - it's hard line rations from now on! Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 They will eat the pellets if that is all there is They do need the proper food for a nutritionally balanced diet. Once they start laying again, you can give them treats in the late afternoon. Hope you get some eggs soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogdickinson Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Hurrah, a strict diet, worming, tonic, lots of water and the hens are perkier and there's a big brown egg today. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come; either way the threat of the rotisserie is receding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 It is the only way. Only let them free range and have limited treats in the afternoon, so that they eat up their pellets in the morning, and you should have no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogdickinson Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Yippee, 2 eggs today, they seem back to normal!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Tough love isn't it. No treats till late afternoon, and they look at you so adoringly. I found that one of mine stopped laying for what I thought was 8 days, but infact she had laid two softies which the others had eaten (found dried yolk on their feet so knew the culripts ) But I have increased their proper food and reduced the treats, and wormed also and now she is back laying lovely again. (we had two from her yesterday) so it's worth it. I also stopped giving mine bread, because they were having quite a bit of that and one omleteer suggested that too much bread can stop laying too. Sounds like they are on the mend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
