A decrease in the productivity of chickens worries novice farmers. A poor laying rate is a serious but solvable problem. This can be due to various reasons depending on the time of year. Laying is affected by temperature, humidity, lighting, quality of feeding, stress and some other factors, which we will talk about in the article. Let’s figure out why chickens do not lay well and how to solve the problem.
Seasonal reasons
Improperly insulated and equipped chicken coop for wintering, vitamin deficiency, molting are factors that reduce chicken productivity. Inexperienced breeders wonder why chickens began to lay poorly in summer or winter. Let’s analyze seasonal problems in detail.
In the winter months
When it gets cold, several factors appear at once, provoking a decrease in the productivity of laying hens. Chickens often lay poorly as a result of:
- shortening of the daylight hours;
- decrease in temperature;
- increase in humidity;
- lack of calcium.
In winter, chickens especially need good nutrition.
In the spring
With the arrival of spring, the number of negative factors decreases. In early spring, there are still relevant problems related to the length of the daylight hours, the deficiency of vitamins and trace elements, the humidity index, and temperature fluctuations.
Avitaminosis should be added to this list. Most often, this disease develops in caged birds. They do not have access to free range, they are deprived of fresh grass. As a result, laying hens experience a deficiency of many useful substances.
In the summer period
With the onset of a warm summer, most of the factors that cause a decrease in spawning in winter and spring disappear. But there are other reasons. Chickens contained in cages will be deprived of vitamin supplements and calcium, which causes vitamin deficiency. To this should be added the annual molting, which begins closer to autumn. If the chickens began to lay poorly in the summer, the reason may be:
- hot weather;
- adiposity.
Excess weight increases the risk of ruptures of internal organs, because the soft tissues of the body lose elasticity.
In autumn
The maximum decrease in productivity occurs in autumn – active molting begins. Other relevant factors are keeping in small cages, autumn vitamin deficiency. In late autumn, there is a lack of lighting and an increase in humidity.
Molting remains the main cause. It affects both the appearance of laying hens and the functioning of systems and internal organs as a whole. Molting lasts up to 2 months. At the same time, there is a calcium and protein deficiency in laying hens, an unstable psychophysical state.
The main reasons
Poultry productivity increases to a maximum in summer. However, the indicator can decrease even between molts. What shall I do? If the chickens have begun to lay poorly, it is recommended to carefully review the bird’s nutrition and the way it is kept.
Lack of light
The day becomes short already in autumn. The light day should last more than 8 hours so that productivity does not decrease. The eyes of laying hens, especially young ones, are sensitive to light. When the optic nerve is irritated, a substance is produced that is necessary to stimulate the production of hormones that affect the ovaries of the bird.
Temperature
Laying hens are sensitive to ambient temperature. Poultry does not tolerate heat and cold. In severe frost, productivity drops sharply. Chickens do not lay well in winter when the indoor temperature drops to -9 ˚С.
In the summer, if poultry stays in the sun for a long time, its productivity decreases. When the temperature rises to +30 ˚С and above, the body of laying hens can no longer cope with the loads. At the same time, digestion is disturbed, which leads to a deterioration of appetite.
A significant increase in temperature causes overheating in laying hens.
Air humidity indicator
With the onset of frost, the humidity in the room increases sharply. In such conditions, the activity of pathogenic bacteria increases. A decrease in productivity is noted when the humidity index increases to 80% or more.
If the chickens began to lay poorly in the summer, it is possible that the humidity in the room where they are kept is low. This happens due to overdried air. At the same time, a large amount of dust is formed. Birds sneeze through it. Dust usually breeds parasites.
Stress
The number of clutches in chickens decreases when stressful situations occur. Beginner farmers often do not pay attention to the mood of birds. The presence of an irritating factor can impair the performance of chickens. Stress in birds causes rearranging in the chicken coop, constant noise and loud sounds, being near predators.
Food
Inexperienced breeders are sure that grain feed has a positive effect on the growth of birds. However, many people forget that such food is not recommended during molting. To restore plumage, it is recommended to give sprouted grains 4 times a day. If laying hens are kept without free range and fed well, their obesity is not excluded.
In the winter period, when the daylight hours decrease, the production of vitamin D decreases in laying hens. Without it, calcium is poorly absorbed by the bird’s body. Using only grain in combination with compound feed will not save the situation.
Deficiency of vitamin A and B12 strongly affects poultry productivity. With a lack of the latter, poultry becomes lethargic, its development slows down, and digestive processes are disturbed.
Peculiarities of breeds
Among the many breeds of chickens, there are those that lay every day, and those that give 1 egg every 2 days. When choosing layers, pay attention to breeds that produce at least 300 eggs per year. However, keep in mind that the meat of such chickens is not of high quality.
There are breeds of meat-egg orientation. They give up to 200 eggs a year. The meat of such chickens is of good quality. If you chose meat chickens, don’t expect a large number of eggs.
Hatching instincts
With the beginning of spring, the brooding instinct awakens in laying hens. They stop laying, rarely leave the cozy nesting place, try to steal eggs from neighboring nests.
Ways to solve the problem
To improve laying hens, it is necessary to eliminate the factor that has a bad effect on productivity. There are various ways to solve the problem – from converting the chicken coop to improving the diet.
Lack of lighting
You can increase the duration of the daylight hours with the help of low-power electric lamps. At the same time, perches should be well lit, because this is where laying hens spend most of their time in the winter. If the seats are multi-tiered, it is recommended to install 2-3 lamps.
Laying increases if artificial lighting is maintained for 16-18 hours, therefore it is recommended to turn on the lamps at 6 in the morning, and turn them off at 9-10 in the evening.
Low temperature
It is necessary to exclude sudden changes in temperature. Laying hens lay best if the temperature in the hen house is maintained at 12-20 ˚С. To monitor the indicator, it is recommended to install a thermometer.
When choosing lighting devices, preference should be given to infrared lamps – they not only extend the daylight, but also serve as a kind of heater.
You can insulate the chicken coop by increasing the litter layer by 2 times. The ideal option is to use straw or wood shavings. Microorganisms that emit heat live in such litter. It is recommended to lay several layers of hay in nests for nestlings.
Before freezing, it is necessary to check the condition of the chicken coop. It should be well insulated. If there are holes in the roof or gaps in the walls, it is necessary to carry out repairs and patch them. If the measures taken are not enough, it is recommended to install heaters in the chicken coop, having previously fenced them off from the chickens.
Increased humidity
If moisture appears on the walls, perches and nests, this is a sure sign of high air humidity. To avoid the appearance of mustiness and dampness in the chicken coop, you need to ventilate every day – for about 5-10 minutes. If the humidity indicator has not decreased, it is necessary to check the ventilation. If necessary, you can install a hood.
Lack of calcium
To eliminate the problem, you need to review the diet of laying hens, add green fodder consisting of peas, alfalfa and clover to it. This feed contains all the necessary components.
Calcium is best absorbed in combination with vitamin D. With the onset of frost, it is recommended to give it to poultry in drops.
The diet includes:
- shellfish in crushed form;
- chalk;
- limestone.
Deficiency of vitamins
In case of lack of vitamin A, the veterinarian prescribes fish oil – from 2 to 5 drops for 14 days. Vitamin A can be added to drinking water.
It should not be forgotten that vitamin A in overdose causes poisoning.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 cannot be determined independently. Only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. With such vitamin deficiency, the specialist will prescribe a course of therapy. For prevention, dry milk and bone meal are added to the food of chickens. If necessary, the vitamin can be added to wet feed.
If the birds are constantly in cramped cages, then it is necessary to arrange a unit for walks – the chickens will receive useful substances by eating grass.
Heat
If chickens do not lay well in summer, the heat is to blame. Drinking bowls are recommended to be filled with cool water. It is necessary to arrange shaded places. It is recommended to arrange a small pond. This will help the laying hens to freshen up. Canopies can be made that create shade.
It is forbidden to place food and water containers under the sun.
Adiposity
If the case is not started, it is necessary to organize free range for the chickens. You also need to review the nutrition of laying hens. The diet should include dry fodder prepared from crushed cereals in combination with compound feed that contains a large amount of protein. It is recommended to introduce moist and warm mixtures consisting of boiled potatoes and carrots into the nutrition of poultry.
Dry yeast and whey are introduced to improve digestion. 5 grams of Kalsbad salt are added to drinking water for 1 month.
If the chickens suffer from severe obesity, it is necessary to seek help from a veterinarian.
In winter, birds are fed twice a day. The first feeding is carried out 1-2 hours after the birds wake up. The portion size for egg-oriented individuals, if it weighs at least one kilogram, is 125 grams per day. For chickens whose weight exceeds 2 kilograms – 130 grams.
If the hen’s egg-laying capacity increases, then the rate of its feed is also increased: for every 20 eggs, 5 grams of feed. Example: if a bird weighs 800 grams, but lays 300 eggs in a year, then its feed rate is 200 grams per day. At the same time, it is recommended to add premixes to the diet of such a laying hen.
To prevent problems with the weight of laying hens, you should follow a certain diet:
- In summer, laying hens are given 30 grams of green grass, in autumn and spring – 20 grams each.
- Grass flour is introduced into feed in winter – 5 grams each, in spring and autumn – 3 grams each.
- In summer, 60 grams of crushed grain are added to food, and in other seasons – 50 grams.
- Chalk – 4 grams each.
- A combined mixture of their whole grains is given in the summer at 40 grams, in other seasons – from 45 to 50 grams.
- Salt is given in mixtures, but no more than 0.7 grams.
- Bone meal – 1.5 grams.
- Yeast – 3 grams. If there are signs of vitamin deficiency, increase the amount of this component to 5 grams.
- Cake or meal – 12 grams.
- Skimmed milk or skimmed milk – 20 grams.
- Vegetables are a mandatory component of fodder during cold weather. In winter, you need at least 60 grams. Chickens are not given vegetables in the summer.
Linka
With the beginning of molting, the percentage of protein, calcium and sulfur content in poultry food increases.
It is necessary to add more flour from fish or meat waste, twigs to the feed, feed with cheese, while observing the measure. These products contain a lot of protein. Plant components should also be present in the feed:
- beet;
- carrots in boiled form;
- pumpkin;
- ground part of nettle;
- leaves of cabbage and trees;
- sprouted grains.
Age changes
Young chickens begin to lay regularly after the first change of plumage. The productivity of each individual gradually increases. The process lasts up to 2.5 years. After that, the bearing capacity decreases. At the age of 4, the hen stops laying.
It is impossible to correct the situation. The only solution is to renew the population. The procedure can be carried out gradually, adding young chickens to the old ones.
Congestion
The lack of free space and an overcrowded chicken coop are factors that negatively affect egg-laying. Due to overcrowding, chickens suffer both physically and emotionally. To maintain productivity per 1 sq.m. no more than 5 individuals should be located in the chicken coop.
The number of nests depends on the size of the herd. Their lack causes the same effect as overcrowding. There is no need to arrange a separate, cozy place for the laying of each laying hen. One nest is enough for 6 birds.
Tips for improving the egg-laying performance of laying hens
If signs of illness or stress appear, it is recommended to immediately eliminate the cause.
Regular cleaning of the chicken coop is recommended. This will reduce the risk of chickens becoming infected with infections and parasites.
The reason why young and old chickens do not lay eggs is stress. Special drugs can be used to normalize the psychophysical state of birds. The best stress protectors include “Methyluracil”, “Dibazol”, “Tryftazine”; “Phenazepam”, “Reserpine”, “Amyzil”. It is recommended to give these medications to new chickens to speed up adaptation.
Good care, correctly selected breed, attention to the state and health of laying hens, timely elimination of factors affecting laying are the main rules that allow obtaining high performance indicators.