4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[mrs myrtle]

I am puzzled. I have had 3 girls since the end of May, at which point they were at POL. Two started laying at the end of June and from day 1 they each laid an egg a day. The other chicken I think was a bit younger and she started laying a few days later, but never really got the hang of it and I think she graced us with 4 eggs in the first 2 weeks of laying. HOWEVER for some reason, for the last 2 weeks, the other 2 have also stopped laying regularly. Now I am getting 1 egg a day between them - sometimes 2 if I am lucky. I have NO idea why this is happening and would be grateful of some help and suggestions!

 

They are fed on Layers Pellets, which I do add some poultry spice too (though I never really know how much to add, nor do I know how much they eat!). They get a handful of corn in the afternoon. They free range on grass and bark so are probably getting a few flies but not much more. They have free access to water too. What am I doing wrong?? I have cut right down on their treats from the kitchen since this started happening, thinking maybe their diet was a bit rich??

 

Quite often we get runny brown poo too. Looks like a mid-brown gloss paint! Could this be related perhaps?

 

Any advice more than welcome! Thanks x

[lisa33]

Have you checked under bushes to see if they're hiding them while free ranging?

[Yolky]

The runny brown poo is normal (as long as it isn't every poo) their is a correct name for them but I use the term 'curry poo' for them. I think they do them every 10th poo.

[Hen Watch]

They are still young and could still be getting into the swing of laying.

 

You've already done the right thing to cut back on kitchen s"Ooops, word censored!"s. I find too many s"Ooops, word censored!"s like rice and potatoes etc with my lot definately means I get less eggs.

 

Keep monitoring the droppings.

 

Might be worth worming them at some point. I use Flubenvet (which you can buy online - see the FAQ about worming) but there are other products too.

 

Could check for lice or mites.

 

Or maybe they are laying softies (which they can when they are still new to laying) and eating them before you notice. Mine can eat a softie in minutes.