The Poultry Keeper

AnnieT · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject: Infrequent egg laying

I wonder if someone could shed any light on this. I am inexperienced in chicken keeping and at first my bantams were each laying an egg per day - I have started to enhance their diet of layers pellets with salad greens/apples/carrots/tomato/broccoli (all on different days and not in huge amounts) but strangely they have laid less eggs. Maybe it is just the hot weather? Can anyone help.
Thanks.

CP · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:55 pm Post subject:

The weather does have some affect on their laying abilities. They could be approaching their moult & they also need a rest from time to time - remember they are not machines! Very Happy

I wouldn't worry too much, but I would also check for parasites & maybe worm them to be on the safe side. Wink

Give them some ACV in their water as a general tonic. Make sure that the treats are just that - their main food of layers pellets or mash should contain all the vitamins & minerals they need. Wink

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I go along with what chicken palace is saying. How old are your girls? Mine all moulted within a month of being 12 months and the moult on some of them took quite a long time to get through it. Usually when they're moulting they take time out as they need the calcium and protein for their feathers so they use what would have been used to make the eggs. Occasionally you will get one who will lay through it, but the vast majority don't. Have their combs become paler ~ that happens too when they go into moult, you'll know they're coming back into lay when they pink up again.

Gice the Apple Cider Vinegar at 2% ~ 20 mls to 1 ltr of water in a non galvanised drinker. You usually give it one week a month for optimum results

Good luck, if there are any other problems or concerns just come back and someone will try to help again

mojo · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject:

exactly ladies

AnnieT · Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice, the one with the feather loss definitely is not laying and her comb has gone dull and a bit flat. She has only lost feathers at her throat and tail feathers so far - so at least she isnt bald like some of the chickens I have read about on the site. I have started adding ACV to the water so hopefully will see an improvement.
I decided I might have been overdoing the greens as their poo was rather runny so I am sure your advice is good that they only need good quality layers pellets and grit and water to produce eggs. The other two have been laying but not as frequently. Its all trial and error for me. But they are so cute anyway.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

AnnieT ~ it's all trial and error for a lot of us. Sometimes we hit lucky and othertimes we're in despair. Chickens just like to keep us guessing I think, in payment for the eggs they supply us with.

And you're right they are so cute

AnnieT · Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:33 am Post subject:

Hi - cant believe it after all that worry - Sunday they all laid an egg each!! maybe it was just because the weather was much cooler ? Who knows. You're right they just like to keep us guessing and on our toes, so they're not taken for granted.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

So long as you say 'thank you' they're happy to help out (when they feel like it!)