All of my hens have stopped laying eggs?

[Barredrocker99]

I have 10 hens, and they’re about 7 months old. I was getting eggs from just about all of them daily, and for the last few days they’ve all just stopped laying. I’ve gotten about four eggs total in the last four days. It’s definitely getting colder here, could that be the reason, or is it something I should be more concerned about?

 

[Eggcessive]

Many chickens take a break in the winter when the daylight hours are less. Most need about 12 hours of daylight or artificial light to lay over the winter. Even at that many pullets will continue to lay over winter in their first year.

 

[CluckerFamily]

It is more likely the shortened daylight than the cold. My pullets are slowly laying, my hens have stopped laying for the season, and they will start laying in the spring again.

 

[cherrynberry]

Agree with the top comment...half of my hens are laying and we don't even get too cold here. But yeah the short days are an important variable to consider

 

[jme_vol4ever]

I have 10 hens, and they’re about 7 months old. I was getting eggs from just about all of them daily, and for the last few days they’ve all just stopped laying. I’ve gotten about four eggs total in the last four days. It’s definitely getting colder here, could that be the reason, or is it something I might need to be more concerned about?

Do they have a reliable water source throughout the day? Have you noticed any egg shells, or evidence of egg eating? Does any of the flock seem ill?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Laying falls off with light levels. I started seeing the effects several weeks ago (my flock is in my sig, most roughly same age as yours). Ducks stopped entirely. The SLW aren't old enough to lay, and the Brahma are just starting to - but I'm getting just 3-4 eggs per day now, where I was getting 9-10 before my Brahma started.

Breed can have some influence, as some tend to lay during the winter *better* than many others, but I know of no breed that lays steadily in winter w/o artificial light.

 

[jme_vol4ever]

It could be simply the shorter days, but I always consider the alternatives.

 

[Barredrocker99]

Do they have a reliable water source throughout the day? Have you noticed any egg shells, or evidence of egg eating? Does any of the flock seem ill?

None of them are Ill, and I know for a fact they don’t eat their eggs after laying them, though that was a good point, they have constant access to fresh water all day

 

[LizzzyJo]

If you’re in the northern hemisphere then it is light related. No worries. You may find one stray egg every few days. It could also be due to molt.

 

[jme_vol4ever]

Laying falls off with light levels. I started seeing the effects several weeks ago (my flock is in my sig, most roughly same age as yours). Ducks stopped entirely. The SLW aren't old enough to lay, and the Brahma are just starting to - but I'm getting just 3-4 eggs per day now, where I was getting 9-10 before my Brahma started.

Breed can have some influence, as some tend to lay during the winter *better* than many others, but I know of no breed that lays steadily in winter w/o artificial light.

Brahmas are superior winter layers. They lay the majority of their eggs through the winter months.