Eggless wonders

Just checking if it is fairly normal for hens to go off lay in the hot weather. They didn't go off lay at all last year, which was far hotter and for longer, plus they didnt go off lay in winter, so this is quite a shock to me.

For 2 weeks, I have only been getting 2 eggs. Mabel seems to be laying all the time, Barbie and Miss Muffet every other day or two, Cindy hasn't laid an egg for possibly 10 days. Today there was one egg from Mabel. This is very unusual for my hens, who seem to lay all the time, except maybe skip one day a month.

They have the dustbath, in the sunshine, plus a very shaded and cool area in the corner, under a big tree, plus shade under the coop. I feed them Allen and Page small holder free range pellets and they have daily greens, occasional sweetcorn and occasional water melon.

All their combs are bright red, none appear lethargic, all have full feathers and I checked for lice. Not easy to check them as they hate being picked up. Am I missing anything off the checklist? I would hate to think something is wrong.

The ONLY change I have made is the bedding I use on the coop floor to catch their poo, so a cm deep on the floor around the edges. I don't use it in the nest boxes. https://www.cavierabedding.co.uk/caviera_products/ravieralavender/

The main change you've missed is that they're all a year older! From their second summer onwards they will slow down their lay whatever the weather, but particularly in hot conditions. They'll no doubt be thinking about a moult this year, and then they won't have any energy to produce eggs as well as new feathers. They're the lucky ones - commercial hens would be culled as soon as the slowdown began to happen.

Thank you Marigold. Its been such a worry for me. Barbie and Sindy had their moult late Autumn. I guess the other 2 will also have theirs this year. Another weird thing is that yesterday 2 eggs laid in a different nestbox. They all lay in the same one and have never, ever, used the other. Barbie always cockadoodles for half hour in the mornings, hasn't done for a week. I'm terrible for noticing things and worrying. At least they look ok. ?

Our hens are now ancient Tweetypie, but still laying a few. You may have heard of the recent heatwave in Europe which affected us as well. It hit 38C here and that immediately triggered all the layers to stop laying and in many cases they stopped eating as well. Now it's a lot cooler (30C) I've noticed many have also been triggered to an early moult. They are all eating now, but still no eggs- plenty of feathers though!

I don't know how you've coped in that heat Chris. Its ok if you are laid next to a pool in your bathing attire, but to go about your daily business.... Its no wonder your hens stopped laying. I think even the 23 degrees here has affected mine. The other 2 hens are only 14 months old. I'm just happy to know I don't need to worry ?.

They are still laying here in 35 degrees plus and what's worse, going broody. 09

OK people, I now have another issue. Today this is what we found in the nestbox. Can anyone understand the tiny egg. It is as big as a 10p.

They're called wind eggs, or in less polite circles, fart eggs.
See http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/07E03A06.pdf
-you'll learn a lot, most of which you'd rather not have known about!

Thank you Marigold

Usually laid at start of lay, or when a hen is coming back in to lay after a break. Occasionally, I've had them from old hens, who later went on to develop peritonitis.

Ours definitely go off lay in very hot weather, preferring to laze under the yew/rose hedge which stays shady and cool most days, as opposed to rushing about eating, can't say I blame them.
We have had a few wind eggs in our time. Sometimes we will stick one in a box of eggs for someone, which usually causes great excitement from the recipient, especially when they open it and find a perfect miniature egg inside. The world of the hen egg is an amazing experience when you delve into the things that can occur

So, since posting this on 12th July, Barbie and SIndy have still not laid a single egg, making it around 3-4 weeks. As mentioned before, Barbie used to lay every day and Sindy 2-3 times a week. They just completely stopped. Because I got them from a battery farm, I am assuming they were just over a year old when I collected them last May (2018).They are otherwise healthy looking and very perky.

I miss my eggs, but I am also concerned. Is there another feed I should try or any food supplement?

UPDATE!! Barbie laid and egg this morning. She must have known I was complaining :lol:

They were more likely between 18months and 2 yrs when you got them, which means they are a good age now, for a commercial hybrid. Laying can sort of tail off gradually, or just suddenly stop. I've found that health issues also increase from the age of about 2 to 2 1/2. You might have to accept that you have some post henopausal, retirees!

Thanks, HenGen. So long as they're healthy I don't mind. That's the trouble with ex battery, we don't know their true age.

I think Sindy has a problem. I say Sindy, as she is the one who used to lay odd looking eggs, occasional soft shelled eggs and who has not laid an egg for at least 2 weeks,probably longer. Last year she sometimes laid double yolked eggs. I found this today in the nest box. A HUGE egg with what looks like another attached to it. It is soft shelled, like rubber, not delicate, so you would have to squeeze it to break it.

I know she's an ex batt and I don't know her true age, but I don't want to go into the coop one day to find her dead, from a painful death. She has a red comb and is active and perky, but neverthless could this monster egg be hiding an illness? I'm thinking it was her who laid that tiny egg last week,too.

Can I ask what my fellow friends on here would do please?

Wow, that's amazing! I've never seen one like that.
As they're much-loved pets, and you're not too concerned about egg production, I'd just keep an eye on her. She appears OK ATM, no egg has yet got stuck, no prolapse - when something like that happens, you may want to decide she's had enough and spare her any pain, but i would let her live out her time whist she seems happy, eating and drinking, and not hunched up or retiring inactive to a quiet place.

Very interesting thread I must say as I was also wondering about the hot weather and much lower egg production... We have also had an egg with no shell some few weeks ago - though nothing quite like the above photos... Unfortunately I can't offer any insights as I was speechless when I saw it... I have had my fair share of bad news this July but I do hope that everything works out in the end for your girls.

I'm so sad to think I might have to "let her go", but so long as she's acting and looking OK, I tend to agree with you, Marigold. If she starts to act as if she's poorly, I would not be able to despatch her myself, I would have to take her to the vet.
I read your recent posts, Sandrine, you have had some terrible bad luck and I hope that's now all in the past.

It's OK when you take a chicken to the vet - the ones I've taken just had an injection and went to sleep on the table in front of me, very peaceful. Sad, of course, as with any much-loved pet, but a relief as well.
And the ones that are found dead overnight in the coop have often had a quick heart attack and saved you the decision. Problems start when there's clearly an old hen in pain, possibly peritonitis or egg bound, and you have to decide what to do. Personally, with the old girls, I now act quickly.

Seen some odd eggs in my time, but not one like that. Our old bluebell laid a few odd eggs including the rubbery "lash" type just before she stopped laying then lived to be 6 1/2 years old. If she looks healthy and eating, drinking ok just let her be. If she starts to go downhill then you have to make a decision.
Good luck with her