[carolbriar]

Hi, I have 5 pure breed hens and they are about 43 weeks old now.  Four of them didn't start laying until they were about 30 weeks old (one still hasn't laid an egg at all),  and laid most days ranging from laying in the earlier part of the morning to late afternoon.  I found as some got later laying eventually they would not lay for a day and then start laying in the morning again.  One hen layed at 9pm last night - the latest ever!  I have recently noticed that a couple might not lay for 2 days and then lay again for a few days and then miss a day again.   What is happening?  They were pretty consistent layers before.

They are on the last day of Flubenvet treatment today and they were sprayed for lice, mites etc two nights ago.  I did this in case there were worms or creepy crawlies.  I used the Johnsons anti mite extra spray which members of the forum had recommended.
They all seem alright, eating, drinking,  and doing chickeny things. Any thoughts?

[wolverine]

I could be wrong and more than likely am but... I read that egg production drops by 10% after 1 year your chucks are approching this age. Again I know very little about this but just a thought 

[joyfull]

the weather may be affecting them, some people also says an egg takes 25 hours to produce which can account for the missing days 

[carolbriar]

I wondered if it was the weather but even in the awful freezing weather we had they seemed to continue laying.  To be honest, I'm not bothered if they miss two days but as long as they are alright.  I heard that pure breeds don't tend to lay every day anyway but suppose just needed some reassurance that there isn't a problem.

[Craig69]

I have Lohmann Brown Hybrids & had the same problem.
Only have 3 at the moment but 2 of them have laid everyday since i had them, but the smallest of them suddenly stopped & laid everyother day.
Last week she didn't lay for about 4-5 days, but has started laying everyother day again.
I was worried about it, but as long as she is healthy & she looks like she is, then i'd just let her get on with it.
Mine are on their 2nd day of Flubenvet.
I give mine a clean everyday, just picking up their mess & give them a proper clean out every 2 weeks.

[Curlytop]

I have got a Warren that hasn't laid for a few days, well at least I don't think she has. I have four hens and can identify the eggs of the Sussex and Miss Pepperpot but I also have an Amber and her eggs look a bit like the Warrens but I have been watching them and think the Warren is the one that hasn't been laying, she looks fine and is acting normal but I haven't seen her go into the coop to lay for about 5 days.

[carolbriar]

I am keeping an eye on them and see how they go.  My buff sussex who hasn't laid for 2 days doesn't seem to be going to lay today either.  She usually is the first to lay and the noisiest!  Now we have finished the Flubenvet course they can start having their late afternoon treat of a little corn or grape or apple etc.   I don't give them very much but they certainly look forward to it.