Author Topic: Hens stopped laying! (Read 7726 times)

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2015, 08:48:42 am »

Quote from: Clansman on July 10, 2015, 08:46:09 am

I think Stereo's just busy, don't think its actually snowing

Yea probably. I wondered that after posting the comment, but couldn't be bothered to change the comment.

Clansman · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2015, 09:09:29 am »

There was a wee frost warning yesterday although I never saw it here

Bramham Wiltshire Horns · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2015, 10:07:58 am »

got 4 yesterday so an improvement,
no crow but there is magpies, but because chickens are in my garden i always pick any up, but that rare they usually use the nest box

Caroline1 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2015, 01:30:47 pm »

I had a couple of days at the beginning of the week when we dropped from 8/9 to 4 eggs a day, after confirming no nests being laid elsewhere and couple of hens looking a bit ratty, think it is moulting time for some of them (we have 14 hens of various ages). Also wondered if the sudden drop in temperature might have been a factor.

Stereo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2015, 02:43:09 pm »

Might as well be! Finally got accounts and VAT return off this morning, despite having a child off school. Next week is going to be a bad one for the crows. Will be building some simple net hides for them to get used to tomorrow and then........

Bramham Wiltshire Horns · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2015, 10:43:36 am »

I cleaned all the best boxes out again and put in some DE had 6 eggs yesterday fingers crossed!

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2015, 12:36:37 pm »

Quote from: Princessrubyk on July 12, 2015, 10:43:36 am

I cleaned all the best boxes out again and put in some DE had 6 eggs yesterday fingers crossed!

Better than me my hens have completely stopped

Clansman · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2015, 04:27:48 pm »

It's the light, the hormone which stimulates laying is activated by daylength, when the day length starts to shorten the natural reaction to it is that birds will begin to slow down or stop.

Bramham Wiltshire Horns · « **Reply #23 on:** July 13, 2015, 09:58:40 pm »

8 today from 11 so back to normal think I I've only ever had a full house twice!

ScotsGirl · « **Reply #24 on:** July 13, 2015, 10:35:55 pm »

I'm having same problem. Bought 6 ex free range and all laid for a couple of weeks but now down to 1 or 2 out of 9 hens. Plastic houses so shouldn't be a mite problem and they are penned due to fox so can't lay anywhere but houses. Keeper is adamant that crows etc will not go into the house.

I'm getting hungry!

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2015, 10:41:20 pm »

Ah well 2 eggs yesterday and none today, the hens keep to their house cause of the rain. Its raining cats and dogs here.

Clansman · « **Reply #26 on:** July 14, 2015, 10:03:47 am »

Quote from: ScotsGirl on July 13, 2015, 10:35:55 pm

I'm having same problem. Bought 6 ex free range and all laid for a couple of weeks but now down to 1 or 2 out of 9 hens. Plastic houses so shouldn't be a mite problem and they are penned due to fox so can't lay anywhere but houses. Keeper is adamant that crows etc will not go into the house.

I'm getting hungry!

Do you lock them in at nights and do they have a window in their house?