All 6 of my hens stopped laying

[Nero70002]

Maybe a predator is taking them? Maybe a small one.

 

[VSP]

I have no answers, but rather the same question with some different details. 7 of my hens were the exact age . about 10 months old ,. One was a 3 year old re-home. All the young ones were laying daily from the time they began in the late fall of last year, the older, rescue, was hit and miss, every few days. I was getting 7 or 8 eggs a day consistently for the last few months as each began to lay at a little different pace. A week ago one I lost one of the young ones to a severely impacted crop and veterinary intervention. Two days later I had only 3 eggs for two days, then 1 egg for two days and today none. The only other change is that the weather has warmed considerably. It is not terribly hot, but it went from very cold 30 degree nights to pleasant 50's. The days in the 70's or 80's. They are all eating and foraging and acting otherwise normal. I have searched to see if there is a hiding place (nope!). We cleaned all the bedding and changed all the water just in case it was somehow a reminder of the missing sister (doubtful?). I am at a loss. This morning they were squawking and looking at the next boxes as though at least a few were considering getting in, but none have. (I have a camera.). Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Seven eggs a day was really more than we needed, but none will not do. Thank you!

 

[aart]

I have searched to see if there is a hiding place (nope!).

If you can't find it, confine them.
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/run 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.

 

[VSP]

If you can't find it, confine them.
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/run 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.

Thank you. The area was thoroughly explored so I am confident it is not a location change. Also I offer them several different nesting spots, and they have different preferences so all suddenly going to one elsewhere would be a real surprise. Still, I did try longer morning confinement and fake eggs in the nests just in case. No luck yet. One of the girls is in a nest this a.m. so I am hoping. . .

 

[Miweco]

Thank you. The area was thoroughly explored so I am confident it is not a location change. Also I offer them several different nesting spots, and they have different preferences so all suddenly going to one elsewhere would be a real surprise. Still, I did try longer morning confinement and fake eggs in the nests just in case. No luck yet. One of the girls is in a nest this a.m. so I am hoping. . .

Any updates?