Narf Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Hello knowledgeable people in my computer, I have four lovely hens that I had last July as POL. They have been brilliant and they have laid throughout winter, usually laying 3 or 4 eggs daily. However, in the past two weeks, their egg laying has decreased to one or if I'm lucky, two eggs per day. Their routine hasn't changed and neither have their layers pellets. The only change is that they now have access to a larger piece of ground with a range of grasses and weeds etc. I did think that they could be beginning the moult, but there has been no feather loss. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? Many thanks, Fran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Well... have a look around the garden. They might well be laying somewhere else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 As one of mine has been this week I discovered today 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 We had exactly the same drop in egg laying when we let ours out onto a larger grass area, but we were expecting it and don't mind as we were getting too many eggs. i think it is because their overall diet balance changes and they no longer get enough protein to lay every day; they eat fewer pellets and fill up with grass. To minimise the effect we let them out after they have eaten pellets in the morning. But you may have noticed that the yolks are a richer yellow and they taste better? The hens will also be happier and therefore healthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 A friend asked “why do you keep your eggs in the flower beds” I had wondered why my egg count was down but blamed the hot weather, 17 eggs from more than one chicken😩 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Hot weather? It’s still freezing here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursula123 Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 3 hours ago, Girly said: Hot weather? It’s still freezing here! This was last summer @Girly however the temperatures were mid 20’s last week but raining today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girly Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Haha! I remember this day last year, I was in lockdown with my sister who lives in Norwich.It was her birthday and this year I’m here again helping her celebrate her 80th birthday today. And as I said it’s freezing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...