Chickens off lay

[katieb73]

My chicks have gone off lay, is this usual for this time of year? One of them appears to be moulting. Also there are little blobs of soggy shell in the nest box, they look a bit like bits of chewed up chewing gum of an egg shell colour...??? Anything extra i can give them in their food, they have bready bits from us, mixed corn and layers pellets. Many thanks in advance. :)

[alcola3]

It is quite in order for them to go off the lay at this time of the year and to moult (not a pretty sight). The soggy shell may be evidence of either a fragile shell that has broken or a touch of cannibalism.

I feel mine poultry grain and layers mash plus of course the household scraps. Mine don't like beetroot!

[katieb73]

Thanks for your reply, unfortunately we found one of them dead this morn...it was the only one that was moulting. Mine love tomato, they go crazy for it!!

[MWB]

My neighbour has lots of free range chickens & he puts a couple of golf balls in the nests to trick the hens into thinking they have eggs so they sit on those & start laying again. And it works!

[Kleiber]

Katie, I've got 30 hens and at this time of year, I'm lucky if I get 2 eggs a week!! The cold, wet weather puts them off laying, as does the moult. Providing yours aren't too old (must admit, mine are getting on a bit!!), they should come back into lay in a few weeks, once they've moulted and the weather dries up a bit. It's a bit late for them to be moulting now, though - it's usually late autumn. Have you wormed them? If not, get some Flubenvet from your feed suppliers and do them while they're not laying, as you can't eat any eggs they lay whilst they're being dosed with it. Good luck! K x

[katieb73]

Thank you all for your great input. Will get some Flubenvet! thanks again xx

[rexy0101]

During the winter and while moulting i add extra vitamins in their food or water.Chicken Spice or Battles poultry drink are very good.
Most of mine are going through their moult at the moment.
My chickens love a warm bowl of porridge or boiled potaotes mixed in with their layers mash