[EmmaB]

Hello all,
I have a very puzzling dilemma and very frustrating.

We have 6 hens that are about 20 months old(rescued from slaughter), we have had them since April. We started with 6 eggs a day and then less, but as they are free range in the garden we did find some very large clutches of eggs. They seem determined to lay outside the house! I have searched high and low for the eggs that are now missing.
The weekend before last we were away for a few days so left them in the coop and pen, we came back to 15 eggs.. Until Sunday of this week we still had 5 a day, in the house. I was letting them out at around 11am as they all laid by 10.30am. Then it went down to 4, then 3, not laying that until early afternoon. Yesterday only 2 and today only 1!!! I feel terrible leaving them in the pen all day, but I am confused now.
There are 2 ceramic eggs in the coop, they don't use the boxes but one corner.
Any ideas... or do I keep them in again for a few days to see if they are still laying.
They have layers pellets, mixed corn and scraps of veg and fruit.
Thank you in adavance for any advice.
 

[chickenlady]

Hi!
Have you noticed many feathers in the house and run? its coming up to moult time so laying may slow down! mites i think are another cause of reduced egg numbers! if they look and act healthy in themselves then another reason is hens that have too many treats and who can pinch more than an inch!? could be any of the above or they have found a very good hiding place for their eggs! 

Debbie

[Vi]

I'm having the same problem with one of my chooks. The bright side is i know where she's hiding the eggs.  Any suggestsions about how to get them to lay in the hen house where they used to lay?

Thank you
Vi

[EmmaB]

let them out at 7am this morning and had 4 eggs by 10.30am. Go figure, they are as tempermental as my two daughters!
 

[dianemk73]

Perhaps crows or magpies are taking them as I found to my cost!