[russellp]

Okay, it's been 6 weeks now without an egg! My adult RIR hens must be finished. They laid consistently, even in the winter. All I can figure is the stress of introducing the 12 barred rock 4H chicks was too much. They appear to be in great health, nice silky feathers, legs nice and yellow, beaks and eyes are clean and clear. Has anyone's barred rock 4H chicks laid yet?

 

[russellp]

Sorry, here is a pic of the girls. You can judge their size because they are surrounding one of my 4-5 year old RIR hens and my Cochin bantam roo

 

[ksalvagno]

How old are your RIR girls?

 

[russellp]

4-5 years

 

[russellp]

Better pics of the ladies and the roo

 

[Smallfarmer]

That would be why. After 3 years of age most breeds have a decrease in egg production. We have a small flock out here. Each year I band the new ones with a colored zip tie, different color for each year. At three yrs old I start separating them one at a time into a little pen to see who is still producing; taking into account stress and molting.