Why did our hens stop laying?

[Craigboy53]

We have four hens, all 2.5 yrs old. One Easter egger, and three olive eggers. We got them when they were a year old, and we have consistently been getting 2-3 eggs a day. In the winter of 2021-22, I maintained lights at 15 hrs daily, an and they laid all winter. Last fall(2023) we decided they needed to moult, so I didn’t turn the lights on when the day length decreased. As intended, they moulted starting in Sept. When the feathers stopped falling, about middle of November, I put the lights back on. Within a week we were getting the usual two eggs per day. Come February, we had an unusually warm period which lasted almost three weeks. We should have been -10C, but daily temps were hitting 12-15, with a couple days at 19C! Egg laying continued. Then came March, and winter came back, with daytime -3, nights -8C. Now we started getting one egg per day, then after a week, only an egg every other day, an then they stopped. Haven’t had an egg in two weeks now, although day temps are 8-10C, nights 1-2C. They have constant access to layer pellets, and I feed them a bowl of mash every morning, about 12 oz volume. They always finish the mash, but for last two weeks, they are eating 1/3 of usual pellets. I throw a handful of scratching the run in the morning. They have constant fresh water. About once a week I’d give them a bit of fresh greens, dandelions in the summer, broccoli in the winter.
The coop was thoroughly cleaned during the warm spell in February. Mucked out the roost and the run, put fresh shredded leaves in there, and fresh wood shavings in the nest boxes.Vacuumed what I could, scraped and steam cleaned the perches. No cleaners or chemicals of any kind.
They appear healthy, eyes are bright, feathers glossy, behaviour hasn’t changed…..just no eggs.
Any ideas anyone?

 

[Happy Chooks]

When chickens molt, they lose a lot of their body weight. Feathers are protein, eggs are protein. They cannot replace feathers AND lay eggs too. So even after the feathers have grown in, they have to get their body weight back to a healthy level before they can resume laying.

Secondly, egg laying is determined by daylight, not temperature.

Lastly, as hens get older, they don't lay as much as when they are young.

Best thing you can do to help them is give them a high protein feed, supplement protein (meat scraps, mealworms, etc) As soon as they can lay eggs, they will.

 

[LaFleche]

, I have eliminated the oyster shell for the time being, worried about excess calcium.

Better put the oyster shell back as they will need it to replenish their calcium reserves and will not eat it it they don't need it.

Treats, like mealworms and BSFL, are daily, but sparingly. Scratch and treats are less than 15% of what they eat.

I would stop the meal worms and BSFL as they contain way too much fat for older birds.

Sprout the scratch for 3 days prior to feeding it to the hens and add a little brewers' yeast to up the protein.

Instead of converting it into eggs older hens like yours tend to accumulate fat in their lower abdomen if fed too much fat and carbohydrates.
They will need a bit more of animal protein to keep them going.
So when you feed them the sprouted scratch in the evening, add some greek yoghurt/low-fat curd or Skyr and brewers yeast to the mix.

 

[sourland]

At 2.5 years of age they may just be taking a normal break in their laying cycle.

 

[aart]

Do they free range?
Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Craigboy53]

Thanks for your reply! I know laying is day length dependent.
The strange thing is after they moulted in the fall, when I turned the lights on end of November, within a week they started laying, and gave us eggs all winter, up to beginning of March. That’s when it decreased and stopped.
Two and a half years isn’t old for a hen, is it?
This week they’ve been getting lots of mealworms, and a few scrambled eggs.
SURPRISE! Today we got a beautiful blue egg, a bit larger than usual. Looks like they are starting.
Thanks to everyone for the tips and support!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They are eating as usual. They finish their bowl of mash in the am. I throw a handful of scratch in the run, as well as a handful of BSF larvae. In the afternoon, they get a few dandelions, which they fight over.

So they're only eating feed in the AM and treats the rest of the time? Or is there feed (not treats) available all day? If they're only getting feed in the morning they don't have the nutrition needed for optimal production.

 

[Craigboy53]

As I outlined in my first post, they get a bowl of fermented mash in the morning, with a handful of scratch thrown in the run. They have 24/7 access to layer pellets and fresh water. When laying, they have 24/7 access to oyster shell and hen grit. With the decrease in eggs, I have eliminated the oyster shell for the time being, worried about excess calcium. In the afternoon, we will toss in some greens, preferably dandelions, but also kale, and other weeds from the garden. (I always check to make sure chickens can eat them. iNaturalist is great for identifying weeds, and BYC is my source for whether they are edible.)
Treats, like mealworms and BSFL, are daily, but sparingly. Scratch and treats are less than 15% of what they eat.
I don’t think nutrition is the issue, but I appreciate your input! Thanks!

 

[Craigboy53]

Wow, thanks! Learned a lot from you! I didn’t realize a 2.5 yr old hen is considered old.
There is still a fair scattering of oyster shell in the run, where they love to throw it around. If they only eat it when needed, I will leave it there, and only replenish once it’s gone. That way I can see if they are eating it. Okay, mealworms and BSFL are off the menu! (I’m going to tell them you made me….)
I’ll start sprouting scratch today. Best time to give them sprouts is evening? I’m assuming the dandelions are still good to give them?
If they need more protein, would the odd scrambled egg help? We have a neighbours who has too many eggs, so I do have a source. I didn’t know what Skyr is, so that’s another thing I’ve learned today! I will use Greek yogurt, with brewers yeast.

Thank you so much for the great tips! Much appreciated!

 

[aart]

I’ll start sprouting scratch today.

If your scratch grains are not cracked, they may well sprout.
If you want eggs, better to just give a good chicken ration and nothing else......except very infrequently.