Chicken egg laying hacks !

[Chickenkeeper07]

Has anyone had any tricks to getting your chickens to lay more . My chickens have been laying six eggs constant everyday but yesterday layed 3 and today only four . Is there any hacks you guys have to getting them to lay more . Treats , switching foods , entertainment, etc.?

 

[sloanbychoice]

There are quite a few things that affect egg production.
1. Have you checked them over for lice and mites? Sometimes a decrease in egg laying can be due to parasites.
2. Do you have them on a complete feed? Do they have plenty of calcium? Limit treats to a minimum to make sure they’re eating the feed.
3. Where do you live? Are days getting longer where you are? Hours of daylight is one of the biggest factors in egg production.
4. Do you free range, or are they in an enclosed run? Often people think hens aren’t laying when really they’ve found a nee hidey spot.

 

[Cindy in PA]

How many chickens do you have? If it's 6, you are only going to get 6 once in awhile, as most chickens lay 4-5 eggs a week. If it's more, there may be room for improvement. I presently have 1st year layers & I get 4-8/day from 9 hens, usually around 6.

 

[Chickenkeeper07]

There are quite a few things that affect egg production.
1. Have you checked them over for lice and mites? Sometimes a decrease in egg laying can be due to parasites.
2. Do you have them on a complete feed? Do they have plenty of calcium? Limit treats to a minimum to make sure they’re eating the feed.
3. Where do you live? Are days getting longer where you are? Hours of daylight is one of the biggest factors in egg production.
4. Do you free range, or are they in an enclosed run? Often people think hens aren’t laying when really they’ve found a nee hidey spot.

How would I check them for lice . They are on layer feed . The days here are getting longer . We let them out of there cage everyday . Thanks !

 

[aart]

We let them out of there cage everyday

So this means you free range?

 

[Chickenkeeper07]

So this means you free range?

Yes

 

[aart]

Time for some exams:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then:
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.