help! my hens won't lay!

two j farm

Crowing
5 Years
May 25, 2016
836
1,600
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Louisiana
My Coop
My Coop
My hens have stopped laying it has been going on for about a month now. They are eating drinking and running around all over just happy chickens but just no eggs. They are 2 years old white leghorns and 1 year old mix flock. I worm them 2time a year and dust for mite about every 4 to 5 month's. Any info would be great!
 
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Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Sorry to here your ladies have stopped laying. There are several things that can effect egg production. I would check for the following in your flock.
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1.) Molting. Contrary to some beliefs, chickens can molt anytime of year rather than just the fall. Are there lots of feathers laying around?
2.) Broodiness. When hens go broody, they quit producing. Are your hens constantly sitting in the nest, refusing to leave? Are they plucking feathers from their breasts and growling?
3.) Parasites. Since you worm your birds regularly, it's unlikely they have worms. However, they might have external parasites, such as mites or lice, that are effecting their health and causing them to stop laying. Check their feathers, skin and vents to see if they any parasites.
4.) Lack of light. Hens need 12-16 hours of daylight each day to be producing regularly.
5.) Hiding eggs. Sometimes hens like to ditch the nests we make for them and go and find their own. I would search your chicken yard for any potential nesting spots your hens might have taken up.
6.) Lack of nutrients. It can be hard to tell if a hen is lacking something in her diet. If she is lacking calcium, her eggs with have thin shells. Other nutrients lacking from a hen's diet can cause shrunken and misshapen eggs or even a drop in production.
7.) Stress. Anything stressful can cause hens to quit laying. Changes in environment, flock management or routine can stress them out. Also, predators can obviously cause a lot of unhealthy stress on a flock.

Sometimes, hens just take a break from laying. If none of the above apply to your birds and if they have access to appropriate food, water and shelter, they most likely are just resting for a bit.
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Hi and
welcome-byc.gif
- glad that you have joined us.

Sometimes its good for chickens to take a break from laying - frustrating though it may be for we humans.

Best wishes

CT
 

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