8 Reasons Why Your Egg Count Decreased

Hens lay eggs in cycles. Most chicken breeds will begin laying eggs when they are four or five months old. In the two months following this time, their egg production will increase dramatically. When they are about seven or eight months old, egg production will begin to decline slowly over their lifespan.

If your chickens are not laying as many eggs or the eggs are not as large as you would otherwise expect them to lay, this can be a sign that something is wrong. Here are some possibilities:

1. Molting

About once per year, your chickens will molt, or shed, their feathers. During this time they will not lay eggs. If your chickens are in their first molt, the eggs produced after this period will be larger and better than the eggs produced before the molt.

2. Unbalanced feed

If you want your hens to lay the best eggs possible as frequently as possible, they need to be eating a good-quality “laying” feed. Laying feeds have more protein than other feeds and has all the vitamins and minerals your chickens need to lay good eggs. If you feed your chickens too much grain, scratch feed, or starchy table leftovers, their nutrient intake is likely to become imbalanced, causing egg production to decrease.

3. Calcium

In addition to providing your hens with a good laying feed, you will probably need to provide them with additional calcium. Eggshells are composed primarily of calcium, and if your chicks don’t consume enough, they won’t lay as many eggs. You can supplement your chickens’ calcium intake by giving them limestone (never dolomite) or oyster shells.

4. Salt

Like humans, chickens need the proper amount of salt to maintain body fluids, blood pH, and support healthy digestion. Too much or too little dietary salt can cause a decrease in egg production. Chickens that are not consuming enough salt will typically pluck their feathers or other hens’ feathers and exhibit a decreased appetite. Chickens can also consume too much salt, however; and wet litter and wet droppings are a good indicator of this imbalance.

5. Short days

To maintain the highest egg production, hens need about 14 hours of daylight. In many parts of the world, decreased daylight hours during the winter can cause a sharp decrease in egg production. One way to combat this is to extend your hens’ day by providing a supplemental light in the coop in the early morning or early evening.

6. Hot weather

Chicks will not lay as many eggs during the hottest months of summer. Although it’s not easy to combat hot weather, as hens live outdoors, it’s best to provide your hens with as much shade, ventilation, and fresh water as you can.

7. Parasites and diseases

Parasites and diseases will cause a decrease in egg production and indicate a serious problem. Parasites include mites, fleas, lice, and intestinal worms. Common chicken disease include fowl pox, coccidiosis, bronchitis, Newcastle disease, and Avian influenza.

8. Predators

If your coop is not adequately protected against predators, rats, mice, snakes, and other animals, will eat chicken eggs if given the opportunity. Be sure that your coop has a secure method of protecting your hens and their eggs from predators.

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