[YoungRasher]

Things are going well with the hens but egg production has dropped to 1 egg today. I've been reading other peoples posts about the lack of eggs but just wanted to check i'm not doing anything wrong. They have layer pellets and corn to get them into the coop. water at all time. I think its quite normal for them to quit laying when they have been moved but what needs to happen for them to start again.
Thanks.

[Stereo]

How long is a piece of string? As you say, it's normal. You are probably changing them to a different brand of feed as well so that may have a temporary effect. They have the stress of the move. So don't panic.

Are any of them looking scraggy or losing feathers? It's moulting time for hens and they won't lay during this time. Nothing to worry about, it's normal. It's also normal for commercial birds to be dispersed before moult as they don't want to feed them through it!

How much corn are you giving them? I believe the recommendation is a thimble full per bird late in the day and only in colder weather. Too much can make them fat quite quickly and stop them laying. A little bit before bed gives them a nice energy boost for bed time to keep them cozy.

Did you mention how old they are? Or what breed? Some rarer breeds will stop laying altogether in winter. Our Welsummers don't lay at all until spring.  Keep in mind that all hens have pretty much the same number of eggs to give whether they lay them all in 2 years or spread them over 6-7.

[HesterF]

Quite normal after a change like being moved. If they were laying regularly before, they'll have some eggs already in process so they lay those even after the move but then stop for a while (typically a couple of weeks) before kicking off again. Because of the time of year, it might be longer but you'll just have to keep your fingers crossed  .

H

[YoungRasher]

thats all great news thanks. I kind of knew but its always good to ask and see what others think. Thats what I love about this site.

[YoungRasher]

next question. all the hens stopped laying for about a week after they had been moved which i was expecting. over the last 2 days I've got 4 eggs. today i got 3 but one was a strange shape. long and thin and very pale in colour. I didn't like the look of it so I cracked it open and it had no yoke. is this normal when they start laying again or it it a sign.
Thanks again for all your help and I hope you all have a happy new year.

[YoungRasher]

I googled it and found it to be a fart egg. or any of the other names used. It did have the grey piece it so it all make sense now. thanks.

[YoungRasher]

Next problem.
One of the hens has lost all its feathers around its back end. It is still laying and the last egg it produced ( 10 minutes ago) has a small amount of blood on the shell. I've had hold of her and can't see any mites or similar things.
Any advice would be great thanks.

[lord flynn]

whats the skin there like? if the house is too light, they can start pecking each other when laying. I use hessian sandbags as curtains to the laying boxes and replace them regularly (just burn them). It could also be parasites, dust for lice etc and it might be worth worming them if you haven't already.

do they roost off the floor overnight?

blood on the shell happens occasionally. if its excessive or if there seems to be an outward cause (vent pecking as described) then you need to address that issue. Or was it an especially large egg? How old is the hen?

[YoungRasher]

The skin looks fine. All the hens are 18 month old. I've looked for parasites and cant see any anywhere ( i checked all the other hens and the shed for red mite ) The egg was a good sized one but I wouldn't say it was abnormally big. We are only getting 4 eggs max a day so I'm not sure if this would be her fist time coming back in to laying. If that would have any effect?.
The hen hut is one with nesting boxes on the side and a metal floor which we clean out daily and re apply sawdust, above this floor are the wooden poles that they roost on.

During the day they are let out in to the garden run and the hen hut only has light from the drop down door. I wouldn't say it was bright in there but if you think that is an issue I could sort out a curtain. would you advise putting one on the main door to block light out or on each of the nesting boxes.
Thanks for your help.

[lord flynn]

the blood may well just be a coming back into lay thing. I would maybe try the curtain thing, I just tack up one of the sandbags and cut slits in for the individual boxes-its worth a try. I wouldnt make the main house too dark or they'll not be able to find their perches

I would dust for parasites anyway (I do mine bimonthly)-you can't always see mites and its not a great time of year for mites anyway but still. so they have a dustbath in the run/garden? I stick lice powder and DE in mine, and woodash. Just in case anyone is feather eating, supplement their diet with some mealworms for a few days to boost their protein intake

[YoungRasher]

I read on here about the wood ash so I've been giving them the ash from the logburner. I got some lice powder when I bought them. Is it just a case of shaking it all over them? can we still eat the eggs whilst this is going on?
Thanks.

[chrismahon]

The lice powder is shaken at the base of the feathers in a few areas at the top of each bird and under the wings. It will work its way downwards. Be careful not to get it in their eyes so watch the wind direction when applying.


The potash is added in moderation to their soil bath area. I read recently Darkbrowneggs used potash in the coops on the floor under the bedding, which is a good idea. Just watch the dust as you don't want respiratory problems as a result.

[YoungRasher]

Thanks for all the help. I've got them all dusted with the powder.

This was todays offering. Is this a sign that another hen is going to be laying or is this something else to worry about.

[YoungRasher]

Picture should be working now. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[chrismahon]

Looks like another wind egg. Could be from an existing layer or a new layer YoungRasher.