Are my hens done?

[natemoore1986]

They are 5 years old. Only 1 out of 7 hens laid any eggs over the summer, and that one has stopped laying about a month ago. I've noticed that they usually have decreased egg production during the hot summer months, but never a complete shutdown.

I'm thinking about trying some artificial lighting, but I'd rather not have my three roosters start crowing at 4 a.m. (more on that later). I'd rather extend the day into the evening. However, I have a light activated Pull-it Shut door to consider, and a light on a timer wouldn't work because they need time to go to roost before it's pitch black.

My questions are:

Are 5 year old hens basically barren? Do you think extra light would help? Is there an exterior light source that gradually dims to simulate sunset?

 

[aart]

What breed are they?
Not sure lights will help...but thinks @GC-Raptor has a light system that simulates sunset.

 

[natemoore1986]

What breed are they?
Not sure lights will help...but thinks @GC-Raptor has a light system that simulates sunset.

Two Easter eggers, two buff orpingtons, two cuckoo marans, and one 8 year old black-sex linked. She's the matriarch, survivor of my first flock.

 

[corriemartin]

If six out of the seven didn't lay all summer, that sounds done to me. I don't know what extra light would do now, if they weren't laying when there was tons of light over the summer.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I only add lights in the morning at 5 am year round to stimulate laying. I open the coops and turn the lights on.

I turn off lights outside after sunrise and the bright lights inside an hour before sunset, when I let them free range.
A nightlight shines enough light on the feeder and waterer to get that last bite and find the roosts.

I turn off the nightlight when I lockup the coops after sunset.

I don't know if your hens are done with laying. But you could try lights. GC

 

[aart]

I only add lights in the morning at 5 am year round to stimulate laying. I open the coops and turn the lights on.

Guess it wasn't you then.