The price of eggs is HIGH but your chickens aren’t paying their rent with eggs. What’s going on? Why aren’t those squandering chickens dropping golden eggs? There are many reasons for this, but this post will help you figure it out.
When you keep chickens in your backyard, one of the main reasons you do it is to get fresh, tasty eggs. But what do you do when your chickens stop laying eggs all of a sudden?
It can be frustrating when your hens go “off lay” and egg production grinds to a halt. But don’t despair – there are several common reasons why chickens stop laying, and in most cases the issue can be addressed.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 reasons your chicken may not be laying eggs, along with solutions to get your hen house productivity back on track.
Top 10 Reasons Why Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
1. Insufficient Daylight
For chickens to lay eggs, they need at least 12 to 14 hours of daylight. When there is less daylight, like in the winter, hens usually stop laying eggs.
Solution: Use artificial lighting in the coop to extend daylight hours to 14-16 hours. Consider getting an automatic coop door to let hens out earlier/later.
2. Molting
When chickens molt, they naturally get rid of old feathers and grow new ones. It typically occurs once a year and lasts 1-3 months. Because molting takes a lot of energy, hens don’t lay eggs during this time.
Solution: Give them more protein in their food to help their feathers grow back. It only lasts a short time, so egg laying will start up again when it’s over.
3. Age
Egg production naturally declines as chickens get older, especially after 2-3 years. Some chicken breeds lay longer than others.
Solution: Consider replacing older hens with younger pullets for maximum egg production.
4. Broodiness
Broody hens stop laying eggs because their sole focus becomes incubating a clutch of eggs to hatch baby chicks. They can stay broody for several weeks.
Solution: Try to break broodiness by removing broody hens from the nest box multiple times per day and limiting access.
5. Stress
Stress from predators, moving, introducing new chickens, illness, or poor conditions can cause hens to stop laying.
Solution: Eliminate sources of stress and make sure coop is clean, dry and draft-free. Give extra TLC.
6. Improper Diet
An imbalance of nutrients, lack of calcium, or insufficient feed intake can impact egg production.
Solution: Provide a complete layer feed formulated with the nutrition hens need. Offer calcium supplement like oyster shell.
7. Decreased Daylight as Seasons Change
Egg production is tied to hours of daylight. As days get shorter in fall/winter, eggs will slow.
Solution: Use artificial lighting to maintain 14-16 hours of light in the coop during shorter winter days.
8. Obesity
Overweight, obese hens don’t always have the physiological ability to produce as many eggs. Excess fat deposits interfere with reproductive organs.
Solution: Prevent obesity by feeding proper portions and amounts of feed. Increase exercise opportunities.
9. Health Issues
Sick chickens or chickens with parasites will reduce egg production to conserve energy to fight off illness.
Solution: Identify and treat any health issues. Use preventives like apple cider vinegar in water to promote immunity.
10. Old Age
As chickens naturally age, in years 2-3+, egg laying declines and may eventually stop altogether.
Solution: Expect lower production from older hens. Replace aging flock members with younger pullets.
7 Tips to Get Chickens Laying Again
If your hens have gone off lay, here are some tips to troubleshoot and get them back to laying:
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Add artificial light: Supplement with a light on a timer to extend daylight hours to 14-16 hours.
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Eliminate stressors: Get rid of anything stressing them like predators, overcrowding, etc.
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Check for broodiness: Limit broody hens’ nest box access to break the broody cycle.
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Boost nutrition: Feed a complete layer feed and offer oyster shell for calcium.
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Provide treats: Treats like pumpkin or sunflower seeds can stimulate laying.
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Check for illness: Rule out and treat any health issues.
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Be patient: It may take days or weeks to see improved egg production.
When to Worry About Decreased Egg Production
While the occasional ebb and flow in egg production is normal, speak to a vet if eggs dramatically drop or cease for more than:
- 1 week during peak laying season
- 2-3 weeks outside peak season
- 1 month due to molting
Rapid declines in egg production can signify an underlying health issue requiring veterinary care. Seek help sooner rather than later.
The Joy of Fresh Eggs From Your Backyard Hens
Troubleshooting egg laying issues and getting hens back on track takes some effort, but it’s worth it for a bountiful supply of farm-fresh eggs.
When your coop is again overflowing with eggs, it makes all the hard work tending to your flock worthwhile. Keep these tips in mind, be patient with your chickens, and your egg basket will be full once more in no time.
Here’s to happy, healthy hens and eggs galore!
What Chickens Need in a Well Balanced Diet
Chickens are omnivores, which may be a surprising fact to some people. They eat seeds, grain, and grass, but they will also eat worms, insects, snakes, mice, and frogs. Finding food on their own isn’t always possible for chickens, and some don’t get any at all. That’s why it’s important to give them good feed that meets all of their nutritional needs.
Most of the bagged feed you buy will have all the nutrients your chicken needs to live and lay eggs.
According to the University of Georgia Extension, the things chickens need are:
- Carbs: Corn, wheat, barley, and millet are cereal grains that can give chickens the carbs they need.
- Fat
- Eggs, corn gluten meal, sunflower seeds, fishmeal, meat, and bonemeal are all good sources of protein that you can put in your chicken’s food.
- Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B are some of the vitamins that chickens need. Their bodies make vitamin C on their own, so they don’t need to eat extra of it.
- MineralsMinerals needed in their diet include calcium, phosphorus, and salt. Chicken farmers often feed their birds oyster shells to make sure they get enough calcium.
- Water
Some people are making their own chicken feed, but be careful not to forget some of the nutrients your chickens need for good health and to lay eggs.
Your Chickens Have a Predator Problem
Predators may be snagging your eggs, reducing the number of eggs you can collect. If your chicken is attacked by a predator or even if they are afraid of a nearby predator attack, the stress can cause them to stop laying for a time.
9 Reasons Your Chickens Aren’t Laying Eggs | And How To FIX It!
FAQ
What would cause a chicken to never lay eggs?
Parasites – lice, mites, fleas, internal worms – can cause bodily stress that impacts their laying. Stress can also be caused by being bullied, being handled too much, getting hurt, having noisy kids and pets in the garden, or living in a bad place. Making sure the hens have a space where they can stay happy and healthy is vital.
Why won’t my chickens start laying eggs?
– Stress factors like overcrowding, predators, or sudden changes in their environment can affect laying. Check for Health Issues: – Monitor your chickens for signs of illness, parasites, or infections. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect health problems. – Regularly deworm and vaccinate your flock as recommended.
How do I encourage my chickens to lay eggs?
To encourage your chickens to lay more eggs, focus on providing a comfortable, safe environment, a balanced diet, and ensuring they have enough daylight or artificial light.
What to do with a chicken that doesn’t lay eggs?
I would keep her in a quarantined area with some of her own feed, really unlimited but spread out in many meals throughout the day with a powdered or liquid calcium supplement and multivitamin on her feed for several days or until her egg laying returns to normal.