posted 7 hours ago
My Buff Orpington ( Cuddles) is just into her 3rd laying season, but has only laid about 3 eggs over the past month and a half. I have flock of 4 hens and 2 of them joined us around Thanksgiving. They eat Kalmbach Hi Omega Crumbles, have a tray of oyster shells. The four birds share about a half cup of a sunflower, safflower, soldier fly larva and oatmeal blend daily. They also get some table scraps, but this is limited and not every day. They get out to free range in the lush part of my yard a couple days weekly plus limited hours on other days ( to minimize the mess in my yard). They have the full side yard of my residential lot the rest of the time, but there is no lawn. Just citrus trees, some ferns nibbled down and a couple taller trees with nothing for them to snack on.
The buff gets picked on a bit by one of the new hens, but doesn't have any damage. Overall, the 4 girls get along.
The buff likes to be petted and attention, but also challenges me and pecks my ankles aggressively.
3 of the 4 birds have slightly poopy bottoms, but not the buff. She looks healthy.
Do you have any ideas about the lack of egg laying? One of the new hens hasn't started yet, but I don't know how old she is. She is the girl who pecks the Buff. 2 of the hens lay very well.
Any ideas or insight would be helpful. Thank you.