No eggs

[Dom G]

Hello all, I haven’t been getting eggs for about 2 months now. Since before it became cold out. I have changed their food to a higher protein mix. They get enough light per day. They all eat/drink and are healthy. I don’t understand what could be wrong. Last fall/winter we had no laying issues. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Sally PB]

Are they molting? Both eggs and feathers are made of protein, so they usually don't do both at the same time.

 

[sourland]

If they are two years old or going on two, they are taking a normal break in their laying cycle. How old and what breed are they?

 

[aart]

Providing supplemental lighting and heat does not always trump their natural biology...
...especially if they've had that light all year around.

 

[Maple Hill Chickens]

When chickens are around 18 months molt old they stop laying eggs for a little time. If there is not enough protein in the diet and low on light in coop they tend to have a hard time picking up egg laying again.
this molt does not always mean they are losing a noticeable amount of feathers

I had 16 chickens all the same age and when they were about 18 months to 2 years ALL of them stopped for 5 months and started laying when I interfered with better food with HIGH protein and was making sure to get at least 14 hours of light a day

Hope this helps!

 

[Tonyroo]

That’s what I used to get. Not one egg in 2 months. Used to get 5-6 per day

If eggs are important to you year round. You should cycle your flock every spring with new chicks or pullets and kill off the old ones 2 years old or older. It helps to pick out breeds that lay 200+ eggs a year. There's several breeds out there that can handle that without issues of no eggs.

 

[Tonyroo]

Not all breeds follow the norm especially during winter. Because you provide extra light doesn't correlate with there cycle especially when the air is cold. Each breed have there own cycle and can't be compared to breeds known to lay a lot like your leghorns.

 

[Dom G]

If eggs are important to you year round. You should cycle your flock every spring with new chicks or pullets and kill off the old ones 2 years old or older. It helps to pick out breeds that lay 200+ eggs a year. There's several breeds out there that can handle that without issues of no eggs.

I’m not able to have a rooster at my house so yes we will be getting chickens who have a higher production rate

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The presence or absence of a rooster has no effect on egg production, only on whether those eggs are fertile.

 

[Dom G]

The presence or absence of a rooster has no effect on egg production, only on whether those eggs are fertile.

I understand. I said that because I’m not going to buy new chickens every spring