Change in laying behavior

[nyumbakuku]

My 4 hens are one year old. They have been laying well since last fall. On average I usually get 3.5 eggs per day - even during the mid-west winter. For some reason they have mostly stopped laying. I may get a few eggs a week. Also I have noticed that at least twice an egg was laid that was thin shelled and broke and was not laid in the nesting box but either outside or while the hen was roosting. Does anyone have an idea about what might be going on. They seem to be acting normal otherwise with the exception that they sit on the nesting box - with no results.
thanks. Kathryn

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are any broody, do they growl and puff up, and make a clucking noise when removed from the nestboxes?

Has there been anything stressful, or a change in diet? What breeds? Some will start and stop throughout the season, others will keep laying.

Thin shelled eggs occasionally can be normal, they also can be a sign of stress.

Check around you coop for signs of night time predators, that would cause laying to halt too.

 

[nyumbakuku]

Thanks. Not sure if any of this applies but perhaps the stress. I was gone for a few days and neighbors watched out for them. They are a mix of breed, black sexlink, buff oprington, easter egger and bared rock.

I'll give them a few more days and see if they get back into a routine.

appreciate your response.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is stressful to chickens, sometimes it can take a few weeks to return to normal. Nice little flock.