Chickens aren’t laying

[stephmelsh]

My chickens have stopped laying and I’m curious to understand what some reasons could be.

Current Remaining Flock:

• 3 chickens that are 5 months old - they have started laying
• 6 chickens that are 3 years old - one is still laying but 3 others recently stopped and two only laid for about a month this year

Recent Events

• We recently had two 5 month old chickens die from coccidiosis. We gave everyone corid for 5 days, ending yesterday and everyone is still alive. During this though our 3 1-year old chickens were laying but stopped.

I’ve checked them for mites/lice and don’t see anything. They receive layer feed and supplemental oyster shell along with a small amount of mealworms every day.

I would be interested in any input. I wasn’t sure if losing the 2 younger chickens could be an issue and/or stress that made the three stop laying.

 

[nuthatched]

It's molting season for many birds, have you noticed any molting?

 

[stephmelsh]

It's molting season for many birds, have you noticed any molting?

I should have added that - I know one is molting as I’ve seen her shake and lose feathers, but the others all seem regular. Also - I have pictures from prior years, and they molted about a month later. As they get older will they molt sooner?

 

[nuthatched]

I should have added that - I know one is molting as I’ve seen her shake and lose feathers, but the others all seem regular. Also - I have pictures from prior years, and they molted about a month later. As they get older will they molt sooner?

It depends, but now through fall is a normal time

 

[rosemarythyme]

As they get older will they molt sooner?

Possibly, it's not uncommon. They'll also take on average longer to come back into lay the subsequent year, and lay at a lower rate with each subsequent year.

 

[McChooky]

It depends, but now through fall is a normal time

I've got 2 welsummers that haven't laid in a month due to the heat and I suppose they are starting to molt too.So is my rooster and 1 of my Australorps.My blue hen is broody and sitting on eggs so that explains why she isn't laying. None of my hen only flock have started molting yet.They aren't daily layers as they're 4 yrs old. I only get about 4 eggs a day now out of 12 hens.Half what I normally get.
Its that time of the year

 

[stephmelsh]

Thank you everyone for making me feel better about my flock. The sickness and losing 2 of the younger chickens made me feel like I was doing something wrong, so I was worried. Think it’s just that time for molting and I have to remember they are older now, so laying will be more sporadic.