drop in egg production

[knat]

Hi started chicken keeping about 3 months ago and have 5 hens. They all lay now and we average around 4 eggs a day (soem days 5, some 3 ). We're now getting 2 eggs and that's it any ideas as to why? They have layers pellets and a scoop of corn late afternoon/early evening (so they don't fill up on teh corn and not eat the pellets).

Have you checked for worms/parasites generally? Might be worth dusting them and worming them anyway. Any gone broody? What breeds are they?

They were wormed with Verm-Ex about 2 weeks go. One hen is laying in the nest box late aftrnoon evening for some time and not laying. They are bluebell, isa brown, sussex star, magpie and a maran.

Verm-x is a preventative, but won't clear an infestation. A good safe wormer is Flubenvet. Mine are a little slow at the moment, which I'm putting down to the mini heatwave. Chickens hate change Also, any chance they could be laying elsewhere? I have one girl that when about to go broody hides her clutch under a rhododendren.

Thanks. No not laying anywhere else. I thought it could be the hot weather as this is when they slowed down. Could they ahve got a bit dehydrated eventhough there was water down for them? What are the signs of a worm infestation?

Generally, they'll be eating like mad but looking a bit thin, and go off lay. However, it's more likely to be the heat

thanks - they don't look thin!!!!

Going off lay is often due to parasites - both internal and external. Verm-X won't clear up any that are there.

Flubenvet is very good and Ivermectin deals with both internal and external parasites - you can buy it in the form of a spray from the vets.

Don't rely on the dust to deal with external parasites. It doesn't work properly.

After the spring flush of manic egg-laying they do sometimes slow down a bit.

Give the girls a breather, they should re-start in a few weeks.

To test for red mite, rub a piece of kitchen paper under the perch first thing in the morning - if it comes away stained in red blood, you have a mite infestation.

Fat hens also stop laying!

thanks - they have picked up a bit now - now up to how they were but has improved. Lets hope they get back in the habit!!!