PS-35/PS029: Factors Affecting Egg Production in Backyard Chicken Flocks J.P. Jacob, H.R. Wilson, R.D. Miles, G. The laying cycle of a chicken flock usually covers a span of about 12 months. Figure 1. There are many factors that can adversely affect egg production. Noninfectious Causes Aging Hens Chickens can live for many years and continue to lay eggs for many of these years. Figure 2. Improper Nutrition Laying chickens require a completely balanced diet to sustain maximum egg production over time.Inadequate nutrition can cause hens to stop laying. Many times these imbalances can cause other problems like oviductal prolapse. Omission Of Feed Ingredients Salt Animals have an innate desire to consume salt. Most animal feeds will contain added salt, usually in the form of sodium chloride. Sodium is an essential nutrient, playing a major role in maintaining body fluid volume, bloodpH, and proper osmotic relationships. Chlorine is also an essential nutrient. Calcium The egg shell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate. Vitamin D Protein Fat Toxicoses Phosphorus Lice
4. Poo - The Chicken Keeper's Guide - Allotment and Vegetable Gardening Below are pictures of Chicken Droppings kindly donated by our members (the pictures not the poo). Normal Picture taken by Catsmuvva These last three pictures have shed intestinal lining in them - quite normal, not a cause for concern. Coral coloured Urates These are frequently deposited overnight and are quite normal Oily and Foamy The range of "Normal" is huge :shock: Ceacal These are produced from the caecum of the chicken and are mustard to dark brown froth. Fly Maggots (picture curtesy of Vember) Flies will lay their eggs on moist chicken droppings and in warm weather they will very quickly hatch into small maggots. Watery Watery droppings can be produced by hens which are too hot. Abnormal poos Coccidiosis produces blood in faeces. Above is from a chicken suffering with Clostridium perfringens.see: 4. The hen who produced this specimen was an older bird who became very thirsty.She is producing a large amount of watery urates the cause of which is unknown, but could possibly be a kidney problem.