[vfr400boy]

So in September I got 12 point of lay hens I put 6 in one shed and 6 in another both with same size grass runs , fed the same pellets same nest boxs everything apart from one pen has a young cock in with them , am getting 6 eggs of one pen and 1 egg out of the pen with the cock in ? Any one know why ? 

[farmers wife]

light - you need it to come on 4.30am - 8am then 4pm - 7pm.  I am unsure of why one set is doing different but assume something to do with body clock setting -and how it effects each other.  (Prob someone has the biological explanation)

[vfr400boy]

I have All ways bought them in September and they have layed rite through the fist year with no lights on , last lot we had we had 12 eggs every day I could not fault them at all , just strange that one 6 is laying and not the other 6 ,

[twizzel]

I have bought POL at this time of year, no lights used, they came into lay at Christmas for a month then tailed off again until spring.

[Terry T]

Interesting, if the only difference between pens is the cock, could he be causing them stress?
Could you try switching the pen he is in to see what happens?

[Eve]

I'd try Terry's suggestion, it's a good idea.


Extra light in winter is no good in the long run, anyway, their bodies need the break. And since you've done this successfully without extra light in the past you must be doing some right - but your cockerel may not be that switched on 


Let us know what happens? 

[vfr400boy]

Thanks for the replys , I will try swap the boy over tomorrow, I can't think of anything else that can make a difference

[Marches Farmer]

Sure there's not an egg-eating problem in the coop, or rats or crows or similar stealing eggs?

[vfr400boy]

Got 5 eggs off the hens yesterday and today 

[doganjo]

Have the other pen of hens continued to lay too?

[vfr400boy]

Yes I can almost guarantee that they will be 6 eggs in there every day

[doganjo]

Norty cockerel, big bully lol