Are we the only people with 11 hens and still buying eggs???!!!!!

[eggsellant]

Our 1 yr old hens laid last year but went off lay in March of this year and are yet to start up again...Any pointers as to what may be wrong. They are fed on demand pellets and then top up with kitchen meat scraps and veges...

 

[Mahonri]

Hens stopped laying eggs when the heat hit. Then I lost two of them to the heat.

I have 2 laying hens at present. Got 3 eggs this week. We'll be buying eggs soon.

 

[consdrs]

Not laying for 4 months!? YIKES!! I would hate to buy store bought eggs!! are you sure they aren't playing hide and go seek? I can't imagine 12 birds not laying at the same time. a couple at a time OK. check under bushes! do you have a critter coming in for a snack and taking off with your eggs? 4 months of no eggs is very unusual. Is it real hot where you are? Good luck and perhaps go threaten those slackers with a dinner invitation!!!

Connie

 

[eggsellant]

They went off lay quite early for winter here (in NZ) and though chilly its not freezing. Didnt realise they would be off lay for so long :0(

 

[Dirt Road]

What breed are they?

Jim

 

[AHappychick]

thats very strange... I agree with the other post are you sure they are not laying elsewher? do you free range?

 

[Mrs. Glassman]

I have 4 hens & still buy eggs. DH is complaining that since he got the incubator for me, he hasn't had a fresh egg to eat since.

 

[gocrow77]

DH is complaining that since he got the incubator for me, he hasn't had a fresh egg to eat since.

Mine got grouchy this morning when my little cochin banty was discovered broody and gave her the eggs back. "Why aren't those my breakfast?" he said, lol.

cuz SHE needs em!​

 

[BarkerChickens]

Your in dead winter right now in NZ, right? A couple of our birds stopped laying for quite a while (fall-winter). If you are getting less than 14 hrs of light a day, then they will not lay much (if any). You can set up artificial light to give them 14 hours of light (just make sure you turn it off at night so they can sleep). The extra light might get them in the laying mood again.