Can a chicken stop laying if she wants to?

[RollinWithTheStones]

I have six nesting boxes, 2 get used all the time and 4 have never been used.

Two girls picked the 2 common boxes to go broody in, I tried moving them but they then refused to sit on the eggs

Now I'm having trouble finding any other eggs (there should still be at least 3 a day). I marked the eggs under the hens so I know the other girls aren't laying with them. I've checked the coop and the run with no luck.

 

[Hannah159]

They have hormones that tell them when to lay. Old hens slow down. Are they old? If they are young, they might have egg bound.

 

[Fred's Hens]

They indeed have hormones. It they shut down, in an attempt to go broody, but then didn't actually complete the brooding, but the hormones still are in shutdown, they don't usually lay. Time cures all ills.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Hmm these 3 haven't even showed signs of being broody.

 

[Fred's Hens]

OK, that's a detail. So it is the other three not laying?

Simply put, anything and everything that disrupts a small flock's routine can disturb laying. Again, time and they'll settle down.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Yes sorry I wasn't clear. I have two broody hens on eggs, one hen with chicks and 3 who are NOT broody and have not been laying. They have space they are treated well.

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy store eggs

 

[7L Farm]

Yes sorry I wasn't clear. I have two broody hens on eggs, one hen with chicks and 3 who are NOT broody and have not been laying. They have space they are treated well.

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy store eggs

Are get more chickens. That way someone will be laying.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

I'm a rouge chicken keeper in the city. If it were up to me I'd have tons, but I gotta stay under the radar.

Are get more chickens. That way someone will be laying.