11 weeks, no eggs

[Catalo2114]

Probably a combination of the weather, construction, days ending in y...

Do they free range at all? Any chance they've hidden nests around your property?

They don't free range at all. Thanks.

 

[Catalo2114]

It's very common for hens to take a break from laying over winter. But the days are gradually getting longer, so unless they have hidden nests somewhere, they should start giving you eggs again pretty soon

I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks!

 

[Catalo2114]

I haven’t had any in a loooong time either! It’s normal I suppose but I’m getting impatient! Hope yours start again soon!

I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks!

 

[Catalo2114]

Chickens generally need a certain amount of light to lay. I've read 12hrs is ideal. My hens seem fine with about 9.5 hrs. Any less than that and they take a break. Many folks choose supplement light in the darkest days of winter. If you go that route, it's best to add the light to the morning hours, rather than at night, to give the chickens time to get settled for the night with a natural sunset instead of sudden pitch blackness.

Chickens also molt in the fall before winter (or sometimes during winter!) to get a nice warm coat, and they'll shut down egg production while they're growing in new feathers.

Mine stopped laying in November, molted, and finally started laying again this week. Hope yours start soon too!

I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks

 

[Catalo2114]

I'm glad to see this post. Mine haven't laid in months. Had 5 that all molted and production completely stopped. I keep scolding them for making buy store eggs, but they don't seem to care. Previous flocks I've gotten eggs during the winter, just less than normal. Spoiled rotten slackers. Lol

Lol. I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

11 weeks is a long time! No wonder you're frustrated. I have 18 hens, some young, some older, and I get anywhere from 3 to 8 eggs a day. Nowhere close to full production. Any chance something is getting your eggs before you do, a snake maybe? I've had that happen.

 

[Catalo2114]

11 weeks is a long time! No wonder you're frustrated. I have 18 hens, some young, some older, and I get anywhere from 3 to 8 eggs a day. Nowhere close to full production. Any chance something is getting your eggs before you do, a snake maybe? I've had that happen.

I've never seen a snake in 30 years of living here and I have no idea if they'd be active in the winter but I suppose it could be possible. I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks

 

[Sequel]

I actually got 1 egg yesterday so maybe we're back on track. Thanks!

Yay! I’ve noticed the older my hens get the longer their winter vacations get! I can’t blame them!

 

[GC-Raptor]

They're almost 3 years old and this is the first time they've stopped laying. Thanks.

Wow your Buff Orpingtons laid through two winters.
My 17 months old Barred Rocks are slackers in their first full winter. They started to lay last year in January.
4 of 5 were/are in a hard molt. The one laying is in a soft molt, only 2-3 eggs weekly.
Today a hen that finished molt about a month ago squatted,, hoping she lays soon.. GC

 

[Sequel]

Wow your Buff Orpingtons laid through two winters.
My 17 months old Barred Rocks are slackers in their first full winter. They started to lay last year in January.
4 of 5 were/are in a hard molt. The one laying is in a soft molt, only 2-3 eggs weekly.
Today a hen that finished molt about a month ago squatted,, hoping she lays soon.. GC

Well I hope yours isn’t just teasing you like my leghorn schmeghorn!