Are you wondering why your hens have suddenly stopped laying even before the laying period? Well, there are various causes of a drop in egg production, including non-infectious and infectious causes.
The non-infectious causes are;
Insufficient Lighting. Hens require around 14 hours of daylight to maintain consistent egg production. As such, egg production can be affected during winter months due to decreased hours of daylight.
Farmers can, however, employ some strategies, such as using artificial lighting to encourage hens to lay. Lights should be placed above feeders and waterers, and there should be a few areas in the hen house that are shaded from the light.
High Temperatures. Various studies indicate that extreme temperatures on laying hens cause a loss in body weight, lower egg production, lower egg weight, and affect eggshell quality.
Heat stress also decreases the bird’s feed intake and feed digestibility, especially of lipids and proteins, resulting in compromised productive performance and health of the hen. To control this, farmers are encouraged to ensure proper ventilation in poultry houses.
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Improper Nutrition. Inadequate levels of energy, protein, or calcium in the flock’s diet can lead to reduced egg production. The birds should be supplied with a balanced layer diet.
A balanced diet not only boosts egg production but also prevents problems like oviductal prolapse, a condition in which the lower part of a hen’s oviduct turns inside out and protrudes through the vent.
Low Salt Intake. Feeding a salt-deficient diet will lead to increased feather pecking and a decline in egg production. Sodium is an essential nutrient, playing a major role in maintaining body fluid volume, blood pH, and proper osmotic relationships.
A continuously low intake of salt can cause a loss of appetite. Sodium deficiencies adversely affect the utilization of dietary protein and energy and interfere with reproductive performance.
Aging hens. The older the bird, the lower the egg production. Hens will be at peak production at about 30 weeks of age. They begin to lay fewer eggs when they approach three years.