My girls aren't laying....

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

I have 10 healthy hybrids that only started laying in June. I introduced a rooster (pure Australorp for my 7x 16 wk girls) that seems quiet and easy going but our egg production has dropped to 2-3 a day but then again I don't even know if that was it. I have wormed them, they get regular greens, scraps and mixed grain and free range 4 hours each arvo on 1 acre. The birds housing is clean, no mites, no coughing or sneezing or molting I just have no idea other than the rooster. It has been warm of late around the 30's but they don't seem distressed. The girls were raised alone until the rooster was introduced but this is now a month or more ago. I have watched carefully and the rooster doesn't seem to pester them too much at all. I just don't know what to try next, any suggestions? :cry:

Many thanks in anticipation! We thought of kicking the boy out of the house but surely that can't be it?? maybe?? Karon

Chook kid · **Posted:** Wed Nov 25, 2009 7:32 pm

i realy wouldn't know sorry

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Thanks, I got 4 eggs today. 2 more than yesterday....sheesh. I am trying to up the protein to see if that helps
Karon

Old Mother Goose · **Joined:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:06 pm **Posts:** 2

The hot weather will play a part and also its now late in the season so moulting isn't far away. uping the protein might help but check to see if they are loosing any feathers as they may be starting to moult

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Thanks, checked but no feathers molting as yet in fact they look gr8. I changed the food we were buying as the previous one had a lot of sorghum in it. We have noticed a big difference going to 6 eggs for a few days and now 9 yesterday. We went over to Barastock as they have a complete food and when I looked at the nutritional value it was a marked difference. I hope that has solved my problems!
thanks for the help and taking the time out for me
regards
Karon

32inchooks · **Joined:** Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:16 pm **Posts:** 3

Diet is everything so I am not surprised after changing the diet the eggs improved. Well done on your investigation and perseverance.

rainbow · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:54 am

Karon, the exact same thing has happened with my girls. I have no rooster though, but like you I checked for disease and dietary requirements. One of the chooks had a bit of feather loss on top of her thigh though and we had a heatwave as well.
What did you give them to up the protein?

tattytails · **Joined:** Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm **Posts:** 34

Hi Maria
I ended up googling what the minimum requirements in the way of proteins etc was. i went to the feed store and found the feed I had them on wasn't meeting the minimum requirement for proteins so I found one with better content. Had no idea there was such a difference
Just had to learn to read the labels@@!

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

My girls aren't laying....

Who is on the Forum