No eggs

[SixFooter]

Any idea why my chickens would almost completely stop laying. I've 6 , but for the last 3 weeks, they have only been producing about 3 eggs a week. Prior to that, through the winter, they were laying 3 or 4 a day and last summer 5 or 6 a day. I got them as POL Spring 2009 and they look very healthy.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Have you had a cold snap?
Are they being bothered by a fox at night? Sorry, scrub that...when aren't they?
Try worming them and give them back their eggshells. I rinse our eggshells out,bake them in the oven then add them back to the food crushed up.

 

[Baggyone]

Sounds like stress to me of some description.

How about the moult? Could be that. Are they pure bred or hybrids? Been laying a year so I'm gambling on the moult.

I do think I should sell my complete collection of practical poultry as I no longer keep chickens.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

Crows / magpies?
I have the same problem every year at about this time. The crows start thinking about nesting and they see the hens' eggs as an easy source of protein. I've caught them in the act many times. It's very difficult to stop - crows are very intelligent and will get used to whatever control measures you put in place after a few days.
My only solution is to go down and collect the eggs as many times a day as possible to limit the amount of time they are lying around.

Also, I know it may sound silly, but are you feeding them enough? If they've been on the same ground over winter it is likely to be very depleted and they won't be getting much natural forage. Try increasing their layers pellets and see if that has any effect.

 

[susbees]

Magpies or laying away is my bet. We have mega magpie issues here...sometimes they even squish between the Yorkshire boarding o nthe barn to get to the eggs. Grrr....

 

[keithgrimes]

Try cider vinegar in their drinking water and Poultry Spice in their feed. Also, if you think you may have rats (and chicken coops tend to attarct them) exterminate. A rat infestation often puts them off laying. If they are shedding feathers you may want to dust for spider mite too.

 

[rob bone]

hi susbees to get rid of magpies you want to build a larson trap.

 

[Foxylad]

Could it be they maybe to old.

Try them on laying pellets if there on wheat.

Day light hours can kick them into gear, have they got access to out-side? Is it quite shady in the pen?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I thought these were banned but sadly not
http://www.againstcorvidtraps.co.uk/larsen_traps/

 

[TOBY-3652]

Best thing since sliced bread larsen traps everyone should have one

 

[Mrs Soup]

When mine go off lay, I give them some ground up dry cat food. High in protein, so if they're moulting it will help with feather production.

At a year old they've got plenty of laying left.

 

[psafloyd]

Best thing since sliced bread larsen traps everyone should have one

As much as I hate magpies (and I do), that is a shameful way to treat an animal. I'm referring to the bait bird, as traps are to trap and despatch, but that is a life of confinement and torment.

My cousins have used them in Ireland, but managed to release the birds after catching a few in one go, then gave up on it.

 

[SixFooter]

Thanks All.
I give them cat food about once a week and cider vinegar now and again. They also get ground shell and mealworms.
I noticed holes in the ground around the edge of the pen today, so I think it may be rats upsetting them. I put a 4" wide strip of concrete around the outside of the pen when I built it, but it looks like the rats have got through it or under it. I'll put another strip of concrete on the inside.

 

[Foxylad]

There i a legal requirement for a general license to use a larsen trap. Not having one could open your self up to prosecution.

I use larsen traps, they are an effective legal method on corvid control.

There is no getting away from the fact corvids actively search out and destroy song bird nest in spring. Controlling there population has a direct influence on bird populations at this most crucial time.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well, Norfolk is famous for its convocations so you have plenty to trap. I wonder whether the few caught in such a cruel fashion make much difference to the greater scheme of things.
Our house is perched half way up a hill between two rookeries and it is a joy to listen to them and watch them nest at this time of year. When chick rearing is over they disappear during the day, coming home only to roost at night.Our garden birds of which there are many species happily nest and coexist with them. Jackdaws raid the fatballs and are gone.