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

[wilkole]

Title says it all really, what is happening.

 

They are eating and drinking well, poo is fine (sometimes runny), free ranging only under supervision so know they arent laying in the garden.

 

Might have to start buying eggs which is shame.

 

They were POL in April when we brought them and were in a regular routine so stuck for ideas.

 

No mites or other pests, have been feeding them cod liver oil and limestone flour in food.

 

No treats as we have never really been into this.

 

We are going away in 3 weeks for a week so dont want to have someone round every day if they arent laying, will be every other at this rate.

 

Any advise would be welcomed.

[Chickvic]

Have they been wormed? I've heard that if a hen has worms it can stop them laying.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Worms is a likely cause but if you discount that try testing them with a broken egg. It turned out my 3 little varmints were eating their own eggs . It's not very common but not unheard of. I've just been away for 2 weeks and my chicken sitters got zero eggs .

 

War commences tomorrow .

[wilkole]

I dont think they have been eating them, no traces of any other eggs anywhere, so will try worming, have some flubenvent so will try it today.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm sure you're right but I had hardly any traces of any egg either, which is why it took me so long to work it out .

 

Good luck with the worming .

[jomaxsmith]

It's a common problem at the moment - lots of us have posted the same type of thing lately. I've had one egg this week from my 3 hens!

 

Jo

[wilkole]

If they were eating them surely we would find bits of egg shell or yellow stains on the chickens or in straw?

 

Would they eat 5 and leave 1 though?

 

All the ones we have had in the last 3 weeks have been double yolks so not all bad

[sjp]

If they were eating them surely we would find bits of egg shell or yellow stains on the chickens or in straw?

 

Would they eat 5 and leave 1 though?

 

All the ones we have had in the last 3 weeks have been double yolks so not all bad

 

one of mine eats softies if she gets the chance never leaves any yolk only the white and skin. if the eggs in the run the remains get buried so I only find them we I turn the chipping over to fill the holes in only found out she was eating them when one got layed on the lawn in front of me chicken runs faster than me