Have your chickens suddenly stopped laying eggs for no apparent reason? Here are some reasons why your chickens are not laying eggs and how you can get them laying again.
My main reason for raising backyard chickens is fresh eggs. Eggs from well raised chickens taste so good!
When my chickens stop laying eggs I know something is going on in the coop. Here are some ways you can find the solution to the problem.
Why Chickens Stop Laying
There are actually many reasons that chickens stop laying eggs. Some are caused by seasonal changes and others are more serious health concerns.
Below I have listed each reason and how to resolve the issue.
Not Enough Daylight
The number one reason your hens may stop laying is due to fewer daylight hours. Chickens need at least 14 hours of daylight to steadily lay eggs.
This means that chickens will either stop or slow egg laying during the late fall and winter months. You can keep them laying by adding an artificial light source.
You can learn more about keeping your chickens laying during the winter here.
Molting
Every fall chickens will lose all their feathers before growing new ones. During molting, chickens stop laying eggs to focus energy and nutrients on making new feathers.
If you want your chickens to get through molting fast and healthy here are some helpful tips. Usually molting aligns with the lessening daylight so you may want to add artificial light in your coop after all your chickens have finished molting.
Stress
Chickens may stop laying eggs if there is a stressful event or a continued stress. For instance an attack on your flock by an animal may cause them to stop laying.
Your chickens need to settle down before they start laying again and this can take weeks after the stressing event. Keep them well hydrated, fed, and allow them to go about their day.
You can also use these boredom busters to distract your chickens from stress.
Broodiness
A hen who sits on her eggs hopping to hatch chicks is known as a broody hen. When a hen becomes broody she stops laying any eggs because she is trying to hatch the ones under her.
A hen will only start laying eggs once her broodiness is broke. You can learn how to deal with a broody hen here.
Egg Bound Hens
A hen getting egg bound is an emergency that can lead to the death of the hen. Chickens get egg bound when an egg gets stuck in her oviduct.
If your hen is egg bound she will act lethargic and may be standing far from the flock. She might also look like she is in pain.
If you have an egg bound hen you need to act fast! Here are some tips to help an egg bound hen pass her egg.
Extreme Weather
Extreme heat and cold can cause your chickens to stop laying eggs. If it is really warm out make sure to give your chickens fresh water and access to shade.
If your hens are experiencing extreme cold you keep your hens warm using these methods. I have found that heat makes my chickens stop laying more than the cold weather does.
Your hens should start laying again when the temperatures return to normal or they get used to the weather. Try to keep your hens comfortable during extreme weather.
Not Enough Feed
Your chickens may stop laying due to the lack of food you are giving them. While there are guidelines on how much chickens consume all chickens are a little different.
If you notice that your hens are running out of food try giving them more feed.
Lack Of Nutrients
A lack of nutrients in your hen's diet can also lead to the stop in egg laying. This can be caused by low quality feed or simply an imbalance in the chicken's nutrition.
One major nutrient that chickens need to lay eggs is calcium. You can feed your chickens oyster shells to supplement calcium in their diet.
You should also make sure your hens have access to grit so they can properly digest their food. Also make sure you are feeding your hens a feed that gives them their essential nutrients.
Lack of Water
A chicken egg is 76% water so your hens need plenty of water in order to make eggs. Give your hens constant access to clean water and make sure they don't run out of water during the day.
Hens Hiding Their Eggs
If your chickens often free range, then there is a good possibility that they are hiding their eggs in a nest you don't know about.
Lock your hens in the coop for a day or two to see if this is the reason your hen's egg production has tanked.
Old Chickens
Hens are most productive in their first 3 years of off egg laying. If your flock has stopped laying it could be caused by old age.
When you notice this drop in egg production it is the perfect time to purchase new chicks for your flock.
Conclusion
As you can see there are many reasons why your hens may stop laying eggs. Sometimes it can be as simple as a changing season and on the rare occasion it's an emergency.
Make sure to watch your hens and take action as necessary.
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