Advice please

[Vwheatley]

For the last couple of weeks my hens have all stopped laying, I have 5 silkies and then a range of younger hens that are not old enough to lay yet, ,the silkies have always been pretty reliable layers apart from when they have been broody, but for the last 3 weeks no eggs at all, I have checked throughly for mites no signs, they all seem a good weight, and they don't seem ill or sick, I am at a complete loss as to why all of a sudden no eggs, also no signs of moulting and they have always had the same feed, any help would be gratefully received

 

[humblehillsfarm]

1) they are either hiding eggs
2) older birds are more likely to slow laying when it is hot or getting closer to the fall

Do you think either of these things are a factor?

 

[Vwheatley]

1) they are either hiding eggs
2) older birds are more likely to slow laying when it is hot or getting closer to the fall

Do you think either of these things are a factor?

Well I have checked the entire garden and seen no signs of eggs any where, obviously can't guarantee that some other animal isn't stealing them but previously they have always led in the nest box, technically we are still in summer here in the UK but tbh the weather has been rubbish, in terms of age 4 of them are about 18 months and the other I actually don't know how old she is

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Well I have checked the entire garden and seen no signs of eggs any where, obviously can't guarantee that some other animal isn't stealing them but previously they have always led in the nest box, technically we are still in summer here in the UK but tbh the weather has been rubbish, in terms of age 4 of them are about 18 months and the other I actually don't know how old she is

Well the situation is frustrating for sure, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have maybe 15-ish laying hens, a solid mix of brown, blue, olive, and white layers. For the last week I've barely gotten one brown an egg a day, so for some reason all of the girls that lay brown eggs have decided it's vacation time. All but two are less than two years old, ranging from about eleven months old to two years old, and two are five years old. They are the OG chickens of the flock.

 

[Vwheatley]

Well the situation is frustrating for sure, but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have maybe 15-ish laying hens, a solid mix of brown, blue, olive, and white layers. For the last week I've barely gotten one brown an egg a day, so for some reason all of the girls that lay brown eggs have decided it's vacation time. All but two are less than two years old, ranging from about eleven months old to two years old, and two are five years old. They are the OG chickens of the flock.

Thanks you, I actually don't mind if they don't lay, as they are more pets than anything else, I was concerned that
maybe there was something wrong with them but they all seem happy healthy ect. Xx

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Thanks you, I actually don't mind if they don't lay, as they are more pets than anything else, I was concerned that
maybe there was something wrong with them but they all seem happy healthy ect. Xx

I think non-commercial birds are more likely to have pauses in their laying cycle, but that's only my observation/experience.