Every single yard hen keeper has experienced it: at some point, your hens are laying reliably, and the following, the nesting containers are mysteriously empty. In line with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry pro and creator of Storey’s Guideline to Boosting Chickens, this egg-laying pause is commonly not a thriller in the least. There are actually clear, natural reasons hens prevent laying, and being familiar with them will let you aid your flock and restore productiveness. Here are Damerow’s top 5 motives hens cease laying—and what you can do about them.
one. Molting: A Organic Pause
As Damerow explains, molting is usually a yearly party in the hen’s existence, typically developing in late summer season to early fall. All through this time, hens get rid of and regrow feathers—a procedure that needs a tremendous degree of Vitality and protein. Egg production generally stops throughout this era, as the hen's overall body focuses completely on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Support your hens by using a high-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and let nature acquire its program. When the molt is entire, egg-laying ought to little by little resume.
two. Shortened Daylight Hours
Mild exposure performs a significant role in stimulating a hen’s reproductive procedure. Damerow details out that hens want 14–sixteen several hours of daylight for dependable laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and winter months, so does egg manufacturing.
What You Can Do: Look at introducing a lightweight resource within the coop using a timer to simulate normal daylight. A very low-wattage bulb turning on during the early early morning can properly increase "daylight" and aid Wintertime laying. Avoid unexpected lights variations Which may worry your birds.
three. Lousy Diet
Diet is foundational to egg manufacturing. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet program lacking in protein, calcium, or important vitamins may result in much less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, even though exciting, can dilute the balanced nutrition furnished by business layer feed.
What You Can Do: Ensure your flock has continual use of superior-excellent layer feed, clear water, and calcium nutritional supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than ten% of their day by day eating plan.
4. Worry and Environmental Components
Anxiety is a major contributor to diminished egg manufacturing. According to Damerow, stressors can include things like predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Severe temperatures, or even transferring the coop. Hens are sensitive to alter and will react by halting egg generation.
What You Can Do: Develop a calm, Risk-free atmosphere in your birds. Fun88 Casino Preserve reliable routines, supply sufficient space, and deal with resources of stress including loud noises or intense flockmates.
five. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying just isn't a lifelong endeavor. Most hens begin laying close to five–six months of age, peak at about one–two many years, then step by step slow down. Illness, parasites, and reproductive problems can also interfere with laying.
What You Can Do: Keep watch over your hens’ Total health and fitness. Perform normal parasite checks, sustain a clear coop, and talk to a vet for those who notice signs of illness. Older hens should be valuable members from the flock even when their laying days are behind them.
Final Thoughts
As Gail Damerow often suggests, “Chickens don’t just stop laying for no rationale.” If your hens have a split, it’s their means of signaling that anything within their atmosphere or biology has shifted. With a little bit of observation, great treatment, and many endurance, you will help manual your flock back to balanced egg generation—or simply appreciate the purely natural rhythms of their lives.