Chickens have just stopped laying!

[CathyTG]

I have a 5 year old matriarch and three 3 year old layers. All of them have stopped laying! I mean NO EGGS! I have searched their little yard for eggs as well. This is now going on 8 weeks - about the same length of time as covid-19 shutdown. What could be the cause? Will putting a fake ceramic egg in one of their egg boxes stimulate them to start laying again?

 

[Buckeye Amy]

I've had hens go on strike a few times. They usually only last a few weeks. I don't think fake eggs is your answer. First make sure nothing is stealing the eggs. Possums are good egg stealers here. They will take eggs and ignore the chickens completely. I would also make sure nothing is causing stress. Hawks flying overhead regularly, extreme heat/humidity is also a problem for me occasionally. Not sure where you are. Good nutrition and a clean, healthy environment are things you have control over. They aren't machines and they react to their living environment. Hope that helps.

 

[cavemanrich]

Seeing that you have been around quite some time here, I will avoid the obvious newbie questions.
My opinion is as follows;; chickens do take breaks from laying. Your chickens are at middle age period. That translates to reduced egg production. Covid period is just a coincidence in time.
Placing placebo eggs into nest boxes will not stimulate egg production. It is only effective at teaching young pullets house manners.
Your location is not in your profile, I just assume you live in the northern hemisphere, where days are getting longer during Spring time. If you live lets say in Australia, or such, then days are short, and winter approaching. That would also be most common factor there at this time.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

Time for a direct exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

Anything else change around the start of the Covid confinement?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!