Airplay doesn't work on second router

I'm using a couple of old routers to extend the coverage of my wi-fi network at home. The topology:

AT&T U-verse 2-Wire Gateway (192.168.1.254). This is the router, serving the DHCP function on the network. Apple TV is hard wired to LAN port 2. I have hardwired ethernet connection to LAN port 1 routed from the 2-Wire to the garage in a cheap N300 router LAN port 1. This router (192.168.1.252) has wi-fi disabled because it *****. I'm only using this as a switch essentially. LAN Port 2 is hard wired to a third router (192.168.1.253) LAN port 1 in the kitchen. This is the most central location and seems to have the least amount of interference. With this setup, I can connect via WIFI to the .253

router, I can surf the internet on all the devices, I can login to all three routers. However, when connected to this router, the airplay icon does not appear on my iphone or ipad. If I connect to the .254 wifi, the airplay icon appears and works. I can then connect to .254 router, and airplay continues to play and function. I can't understand why airplay does not seem to be advertising itself to the devices connected to the .253 router via wifi.

Any ideas would be appreciated.