2 weeks no eggs

[mendozer]

I've noticed a drop off entirely for my 4 hens in the last two weeks. We have had increasing temps, but yesterday was the hottest day of the new year at 82. That's not hot enough to cause egg laying cessation is it? Their food and water is fine, no molting evidence, etc. I worm every fall just because so that was done in October.

 

[mike1970]

what was your egg rate prior to this

 

[mendozer]

Around 2-3 daily

 

[RWise]

Do they have places they can hide their nest? Maybe keep them in a few hours, watch until one or more wants out badly, and follow her.

 

[aart]

If they free range......
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[mendozer]

They don't range bc we have neighborhood cats. They live in a 4x4 coop and have a 6x12 fenced run. Nowhere to hide eggs.

 

[aart]

How old are these 4 birds?
Do you have deepish bedding in nests,coop, run....where they might have buried them?

 

[mendozer]

They're 2 yrs old now. No winter laying, so I figure they'd last longer in their prime. And now nothing too deep. They don't even lay in my boxes but in the corners

 

[Gray Farms]

What breed/breeds?

 

[mendozer]

Easter Egger, Welsummer, Buff Orp, White Rock