Egg eaters

[rebrascora]

Surprising that they moulted so early in the summer but I guess it depends when they were hatched. Unfortunately it is not guaranteed that they will start up this year again now that the days are getting shorter although I have one girl who was broody part of the summer, has just had a light moult and suddenly come back into lay after everyone else has stopped but I do not expect it to last and have a sneaky feeling that she may have another light moult in a few weeks time.
Yes in your situation a light may be beneficial, especially if they have access to a feeder in the coop, so that they are awakened early and have a chance to start eating earlier too.

 

[karenls50]

Surprising that they moulted so early in the summer but I guess it depends when they were hatched. Unfortunately it is not guaranteed that they will start up this year again now that the days are getting shorter although I have one girl who was broody part of the summer, has just had a light moult and suddenly come back into lay after everyone else has stopped but I do not expect it to last and have a sneaky feeling that she may have another light moult in a few weeks time.
Yes in your situation a light may be beneficial, especially if they have access to a feeder in the coop, so that they are awakened early and have a chance to start eating earlier too.

Yes. They have access to feed. I’m thinking with their age I’ll have to replace all of them in the spring but until I can do that I’d like to squeeze as many last eggs as I can out of them.
We had an unseasonably hot summer here in Ohio and they started to molt mid July. Some of my Marans had virtually bare chests and butts. It was awful. Our roosters whole neck was naked.
Our neighbors all experienced the same thing. They arent laying either.
I buy expensive feed and I can’t afford to feed them the good stuff if they’re not producing eggs.

 

[rebrascora]

I feed mine the basic unbranded 16% layer ration. I can't afford to feed my animals better than me and they do fine on it. They get extra greens and some scraps and their yolks are lovely and orange. I can't afford to pay nearly double for expensive stuff that does the same job.
My girls have a retirement policy although I am yet to have one pack up laying altogether. I broody hatch and raise youngsters within the flock to keep a supply of young pullets coming through for winter eggs and process the surplus cockerels.

 

[karenls50]

I feed mine the basic unbranded 16% layer ration. I can't afford to feed my animals better than me and they do fine on it. They get extra greens and some scraps and their yolks are lovely and orange. I can't afford to pay nearly double for expensive stuff that does the same job.
My girls have a retirement policy although I am yet to have one pack up laying altogether. I broody hatch and raise youngsters within the flock to keep a supply of young pullets coming through for winter eggs and process the surplus cockerels.

The only reason I buy non gmo feed is for my health. I can’t feed chickens feed that’s corn had been treated with Roundup.
It’s not for the chickens it’s for me
We don’t have the set up to broody hatch.
Also don’t have room to retire non laying hens.
I just need the flock to lay.