Why layers are not giving you eggs

The egg production cycle normally starts at around five months (about 20-21 weeks) and continues for an average of 12 months. The birds will often give fewer eggs as they near the moulting period. 

Moulting is a periodic loss of feathers and re-growing them which occurs every year when the days get shorter. During moult, chickens typically stop laying eggs and use this time to build up their nutrient reserves. Yet there are farmers who complain about delayed onset of laying or complete inability of chickens to produce eggs even after reaching the biological point of lay.

Dr Harunah Kaaya, the Managing Director of Chick Masters, a livestock and consultancy company in Mukono, explains that rearing is the investment phase for future egg production and the productivity of a flock depends to a large extent on how successful key performance targets are achieved during this period. Kaaya explains the factors that contribute to delayed or lack of egg production.

Low energy level in feed
Dr Kaaya says that energy is the single most important component of any good feed. Energy is the fuel that keeps the many different body functions operating. It is needed for physical body maintenance, growth and egg production. He says that dietary nutrients that yield energy are protein, fat and carbohydrates normally present maize. Thus, when formulating high energy diets, Dr Kaaya says it is necessary to add a source of fat to poultry diets. Diets with high levels of energy are referred to as having a higher nutrient density. 

The energy content of a diet is usually given as so many calories per kilogramme of diet. He says that any feed is considered of low energy level if it is less than 2,600 kilogramme calorie. Birds that feed on such feed will consequently struggle to produce eggs. If chickens delay laying, Dr Kaaya advises immediate change of feeds if the birds don’t respond in the scheduled time.

Deficiencies
The daily requirement of amino acids is partly responsible for the daily egg production. Since the eggs are made of proteins and amino acids, any deficiencies in the diet will result in no egg production. Any feed deficient in methionine and lysine will compromise egg production. Crude protein level in feed should be between 17 and 20 per cent of the complete diet. There are many protein and amino acids sources that are commonly used in poultry diets. Some sources are from plant origin like soybean, cottonseed, alfalfa, and sunflower as well as from animal origin like fishmeal.

Calcium and phosphorus deficiency
According to Dr Kaaya both calcium and phosphorus are required for the synthesis of bone. They do not only provide mechanical strength but also a reserve for periods of increased requirement especially egg laying or nutritional deficiency. Calcium and phosphorus deficiencies can lead to delay in egg production. Dr Kaaya says expert nutritional advice should be sought although he recommends calcium boost using water-soluble sources composed of limestone, oyster shell and other mollusc shells.

Body weight
An important factor in egg weight is the pullet’s body weight at maturity. Dr Kaaya says heavier chickens tend to lay more eggs throughout the production period. Body weight is affected by many factors, including beak trimming, vaccination programme, transfer, diseases, lighting, space allotment, and nutrition. Dr Kaaya recommends regular weighing of a sample of birds. As a general rule, light breeds start to lay at 16 to 18 weeks weighing between 1.4 and 1.6 kilogrammes. Apart from genetics and nutrition, bodyweight is key in egg size as well.

Diseases
Worms are one of the menaces of laying chicken. According to Dr Kaaya, when chickens delay or reduce egg production, it could be a result of large roundworms. Chickens that have worms tend to lose weight, have bloody diarrhoea, become less active and can stop laying eggs.  

There are a number of dewormers available over-the-counter which can be added to drinking water and applied for about three days. Other common diseases could be infection of the gut or ovaries. Red mites and worms can also cause severe blood loss, lethargy, poor feeding and hence poor feed conversion. Dust powders will get rid of mites and fleas. In severe cases, he advises getting in touch with a vet.

Feed allocation
Good feed quality but of low quantity will greatly affect egg production. Dr Kaaya explains that naturally, birds channel the little feed they get for physical maintenance and growth. He says that chicken continue to grow until week 31. 

From Week 18, hens start to enter their laying period, reaching peak of lay around 32 weeks of age, and typically maintaining egg production until 65-68 weeks of age. Feed intake will increase to a steady level of 100-105 grams per day per hen. He advises providing enough feeders and waterers for your birds to ensure that the biggest percentage of the birds are growing within the standard curve.

Warning
Feeding your fish too often or offering them too much food can lead to several problems. 
Both excessive digestive wastes and uneaten food can pollute the water and create high ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels, and lower the oxygen level as well as lowering the pH levels. 
If your water tests show high nitrate levels, it is very likely because you are overfeeding your fish. Further, excessive food floating in the water can clog filters, causing the water to become toxic.