California - Northern

[Hermit]

Hey, have y’all been having any issues with your ladies dropping fewer eggs these last couple weeks?
I don’t know if it’s the heat, they’re moulting, or if my girls are hiding theirs in a new place, but we’ve seen a drastic reduction recently.
Mine are out in Colusa county.

 

[ronott1]

Hey, have y’all been having any issues with your ladies dropping fewer eggs these last couple weeks?
I don’t know if it’s the heat, they’re moulting, or if my girls are hiding theirs in a new place, but we’ve seen a drastic reduction recently.
Mine are out in Colusa county.

It has been hotter than normal for Sept. and hours of daylight are going down. Some breeds are more sensitive to daylight hours and will slow down and stop laying sooner.

Second year hens molt that fall too. first year pullets usually skip molting in the first year.

 

[Blue_dingo]

Very pretty, my friend might want the silkie. She needs a new roo

Man wish I’d seen this sooner the Silkie i took back to the local feed store. I still got the red though!! He is gonna be a beauty.

Lemme know if u want him Norcal peeps!

 

[stavo]

I've definitely seen a slowdown in my second year hens starting last month. I guess it's for the reasons mentioned.

 

[ronott1]

I've definitely seen a slowdown in my second year hens starting last month. I guess it's for the reasons mentioned.

They will slow down or stop depending on breed. Some are winter laying breeds and will lay more at lower light levels.

Supplementing with light will keep them laying but that is controversial

 

[Hermit]

Mine have been raised fairly natural. Their coop is open aired, so they feather up thick over winter and leave for the shade of the bushes or stand in their “wading pool” (the deep lid to a storage tub) during the summer days. I didn’t give them extra light last winter so I think I’ll stick with letting them do what they do. I am considering giving them some catfish feed as a supplement while they feather out, though. It’s supposed to help them recover faster.

 

[ronott1]

Mine have been raised fairly natural. Their coop is open aired, so they feather up thick over winter and leave for the shade of the bushes or stand in their “wading pool” (the deep lid to a storage tub) during the summer days. I didn’t give them extra light last winter so I think I’ll stick with letting them do what they do. I am considering giving them some catfish feed as a supplement while they feather out, though. It’s supposed to help them recover faster.

Nutrena feather fixer works well for helping during a molt:

https://www.nutrenaworld.com/produc...Td2fFogbjPa8XEvOBtf-DAKv8v2FitGkaAnRAEALw_wcB

 

[Cerenity]

Hi all, I'm in Valley Springs. Howdy 'neighbors'. Just getting started and researching everything right now, just about ready to get some birds

Hey! We're, like, actually neighbors! We're in Lockeford. What kind of chickens are you planning on getting?

 

[h2oratt]

Hey! We're, like, actually neighbors! We're in Lockeford. What kind of chickens are you planning on getting?

I am in Stockton.

 

[Cerenity]

I am in Stockton.

Nice! What kinds of chickens are you keeping?