I feed my hens an organic layer mash that relies on soybeans for much of its protein. I doubt if feeding soybean meal is the cause of the drop-off in egg production. Mine seem to do just fine on it.

My understanding (and I'm no expert) is that soybeans must be cooked in order for the birds to utilize them. I would assume if you are purchasing soybean meal, that it has been roasted.

I'd be more inclined to blame the ground corn. It's cheap for a reason.

I do remember that when I have been late with the supplementary lighting that it took several weeks of slowly increasing light before the chickens started to respond to it. So you may need to be patient.

I raise rabbits as well as chickens and when I get my act together, I plan to raise worms under the rabbit cages as a protein supplement for the chickens. I THINK if I did that, and fed plenty of alfalfa either fresh or dried as hay, that I would be able to feed scratch (here that means at least three grains, one of which would be cracked corn) instead of the layer mash. A considerable saving with scratch at $10 a bag and the organic layer mash at about $30. Fortunately, with free-ranging, my birds do not pig-out on purchased feed.

I'm posting a link for you that I found interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chicken Feed etc.

Thanks for the link and info maggie. I was interested in the drop in egg production, too, growernut. My six hens that routinely produced 5 eggs a day are now down to 1 a day and I'm pretty sure it's the same hen all the time! Just two days ago, I got two eggs so I'm hoping production is on the way back up. They are only 11/2 years so I figured it must be the light. I've been leaving the light on in the chicken house. What is the optimum daylenght for layers? Also, I was wondering about heat. I know the chickens will fare alright without it in an insulated, non-drafty, well-ventilated house, but does a little supplemental heat increase laying? Last winter I had a heat lamp on a timer at night, but off through the day.

I'm no expert, Balsam, but I don't think heat aids egg production, although it may help prevent frostbite and keep the humidity down.

It has been my experience that having light for more than about 16 hours a day is detrimental. The first winter we had chickens (2003-2004) I was all in a flap - pun intended ;) - about them being too cold, getting frostbitten etc. So during a very cold spell I left the heat lamp on at night. Almost immediately I had pecking problems. It wasn't the roosters - they were penned separately.

Once a bad habit is established it is hard to get rid of... In this case it took a whole season of free-ranging. My poor hens had bare patches above the tails until the next fall's moult.

The past two winters have not been as severe but during one very cold snap I DID use the heat lamp, attached to the same timer as the white light, so it came on about 3 AM during the coldest hours and that seemed okay. The hens still had their eight hours of darkness and there was no increase in pecking problems. Also no increase in egg production.

Another solution is to replace the red or white heat bulb with a non-light-emitting ceramic bulb such as people use for reptiles. You can get them at a good pet supply store. Then you can leave it on as much as your electricity bill can stand.

Hi chicken lovers,
I'm trying to master the art of putting an image into the post (thru photobucket).
This is a wonderful 1900 advertisement for chicken feed.
3000 eggs laid in 120 days it says......

Here goes-

ok 2nd try to post this image. Bear with me. Thanks

Sorry folks, it's in the preview I get of the post, but then doesn't show up in the finished post. I don't wish to annoy or waste time, if this doesn't work I'll try again another time.
Thanks for the patience!

Here is a link that might be useful: