is there any feed that will make chickens STOP laying? WHat about anything that will make then start? I havnt had an egg in weeks from them, The weatyer hasnt been that bad,, up into the high 30's. They go outside and scratch and such,, so I dont think its that. I have a light on,, turns on an hour before sunrise,, and 2 hours before sunset. They have free choice layer mash w/ calcium, plus what the stratch up and little treats that I clean out of the fridge

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), November 05, 2002

Answers

I don't know if this will help but try some meal worms if you can get them. I raised them for the pet shop up in WI and when I got too many I'd give them to the chickens, boy they'd really lay then! Of course we also had heat lights in the coop since it was -30 in January.

Otherwise if you want a bagged product maybe try a bag of Purina Animax or try giving them a mixed bird seed instead of their regular scratch, the sunflower seeds have more nutrition than corn. I use the cheap mixed bird seed(7.97 for 55# at Walmart) instead of scratch year round. The cost was only 10cents different between the bagged scratch & bird seed and all of my poultry love it.

My friend Lisa is having the same problem as you -no eggs-and I suggested she make up some suet type cakes. I figured the wild birds need the extra heat and calories maybe chickens would too. Just gather up any left over grease; bacon,lard,meat, add some peanut butter(old is OK), mix well, put on a tray or in a cake pan. Refrigerate till firm then cut in squares about 5-6 in. Put one or two out depending on how many chickens you've got. The hens just love it. Lisa's hens started laying, not as good as summer but at least she's getting a few eggs again.

-- Kathy (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), November 05, 2002.

Not all hens are layers. Not all layers are good layers.I'd say a replacement is long over due.Get some new chicks ( pullets ) and order some that lay is the coldest of winters ( Asian breeds ).

If you not going to eat the bird and want just eggs ,the best breed for that are white leghorns that lay an extra large white egg that will beat the best brown egg as far as taste goes.

Just because the egg is white doesn't mean it'll taste bad like the ones in the grocery store . A lot of white egg layers are bred for superior egg quality and taste.Get a breed that has had steady production bred in.

And make yourself some nice chicken soup with the hens you have , unless they are pets.

-- chickenman (Flewthe@coop.c), November 06, 2002.