Entire flock on starter feed since the beginning of June. Please help!

[roxanne]

I had two hens hatch out babies starting at the end of May. Since then the entire flock has been on starter feed. In the last three days, I have had zero (0) eggs. Is this because of the starter feed? Does anyone have any advice? I have put out oyster shell for the adult chickens but I have no guarantee how much they actually eat. Should I put that in a feeder? I ask because right now it’s just in a livestock feeding tray. I am very worried. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How old are the other layers? If they're over a year old you're closing in on molting season, if they haven't already begun.

 

[aart]

Since then the entire flock has been on starter feed. In the last three days, I have had zero (0) eggs. Is this because of the starter feed?

No.

How old are the other layers? If they're over a year old you're closing in on molting season, if they haven't already begun.

Ditto Dat^^^

 

[BDutch]

Most chickens start to moult in autumn/ when they are about 18 months old. And they stop laying at this point. A moult lasts about 6 weeks if I remembered correct (not sure ). But many chickens stop with the shorter winter-days too. Expect no eggs until February/March. When they start to lay again depends on : age, cold, day length, breed and individual.

Dont worry, taking a long break is good for their health.

 

[Folly's place]

My adult standard hens are almost all molting right now! Today, two eggs from 22 (!) hens! My four bantam hens are not molting, and we are getting 3 or 4 eggs daily from them.
Some of these birds are over one year of age, which makes a difference too, and two are broody with no eggs in their nests.
It's not the food! We have feathers everywhere, looks like somebody died, but not so.
Mary