Someone just informed me on another post that using all capital letters was offensive.
Didnt know that.
Sorry if i offended anyone.

That's OK Virginia, by your tone of voice we knew you weren't yelling, lol.

I don't know for sure what the answer to your questions are. Several things could be going on. First off, it is the time of year for hens to slow down their egg production in the first place. It's the long days what signals them to lay so that they can time their new chicks' arrival for the warm months. Therefore, without supplemental lighting, they tend to lay heaviest in spring as the days grow longer and stop laying so heavily in autumn as the days grow shorter. This egg decrease may something as simple as that.

Secondly yes, since they have had a taste of broken eggs they could be eating their eggs, or have found a secret place to lay them now. I found several caches of eggs under the straw bedding when a hen or two decided to stop using the nest boxes.

No, their laying habits should't be affected by having a rooster there or not.

They could also have gone "broody" since a clutch of eggs was left for them to sit. When a hen goes broody her mind is on one thing and that is to sit eggs. Her routine changes until she is off the broody streak.

What I would do first off is to faithfully gather the eggs for a week or two as soon as possible after lain to get them back into their old routine. That should break broodiness or egg eating habits. If you suspect they're eating their own eggs, try adding some oyster shell to their food for calcium.

If that doesn't work, then I'd question just how old these hens are. I wouldn't replace them if they are young. I live in a more northern latitude than Florida so I don't know the day length in fall in that area anymore. But, like I said it is normal for hens to decrease laying when the days get shorter.

*L* It's OK to yell, we need to be able to hear ya over here in California, too...*G*

If ALL of them have stopping laying, make sure the hens aren't sick. If they seem healthy, it could be that they ARE still laying, and have a hidden nest somewhere--especially if the son not collecting the eggs has given the girls 'ideas'. This would be my first suspicion, especially if in a few days one of the hens comes up 'missing'. *G* That would mean she has gone broody and is sitting on the clutch of eggs. Hens will do this, rooster or no rooster and a broody hens doesn't lay while brooding--but a broody is easy to spot. Another consideration is that possibly the birds are molting and so have stopped laying for a bit, but to have ALL of them going broody or molting at once is practically impossible, so it's not likely.

Also consider that something or someONE is stealing the eggs. Look around for broken shells, etc. You can also check for remains of egg and/or wetness in the nests or elsewhere to rule out egg eating. Try dropping a fresh egg in front of the hens and see which part they go for first--if they fall on the eggshell like ravenous wolves, they may need more calium in their diets. If they go for the yolk, more protein. Chickens DO love the occassional egg to eat, but normally if fed well and properly they should not turn to eating their own eggs.

Chickens DO miss a family member and pine for them. Like all animals, to a chicken, you gone=dead--they don't know from vacations. *L* And if you are involved with your birds socially on a daily basis they consider you part of the flock.

Chickens do normally cut back egg production in the colder winter months, but it doesn't sound like it's that cold there. Hens normally lay well for the first 2-3 years of life, then start tapering off, usually ceasing to lay at around age 6-8 years.

Good luck solving the mystery!

Velvet ~:>

Today they found (2) eggs
There are no hidden eggs around but
hopefully things are getting better.
Thanks for the great advice.
we'll try dropping an egg & see what happens & keep you posted.

Yeah, mom sit's back there and they hop up on her knee & get treats.I think she'll keep them even if they never lay another egg.