Chickens have not laid eggs for months

[sheneron]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have several birds about 3 years old who haven't laid in what is approaching 4 months, and we aren't even in the middle of winter yet. They stopped laying sometime in August, as we were approaching fall but not yet in fall, IIRC. We are now in early December and still not an egg.

I understand they may not lay through the winter (though they did last winter with an artificial light); however, what is concerning to me is that they stopped laying so soon before winter, and not even in fall.

They had a molt, which was very light, but perhaps long. They haven't had any bald spots, but they have been feathers on the ground over the last few months. They seem healthy, all of them are active, eating, drinking, etc.

Their diet slightly changed, in that I switched to crumbles from pellets. I occasionally give them meal worms and they have oyster shells available too.

Is this normal? Is there anything else I should be checking?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

This really is normal for 3 year old birds. Winter isn't what causes the cessation of laying. What does it is the decreasing day length vis a vis hours of darkness. THAT is the signal to cease production. When days begin to lengthen after winter solstice, you should get some to resume laying.
You can kick start that by slowly incrementing day length with a light. Perhaps adding 15 minutes a day.
It is just a coincidence that it gets cold most places when days shorten, however, cold weather isn't the cause of decreased production. It is all about light.
Where I live, day length is now almost 5 1/2 hours shorter than it was at summer solstice.
We will lose only 3 more minutes of day length in the next 10 days by the time days begin to lengthen. Even without added light, you may begin to get eggs by the end of January when days will be 45 minutes longer.
Since none are laying I would definitely replace layer feed with a higher protein grower or All Flock feed since they don't need the enhanced calcium. Additionally, higher protein will help recovery from molt and induce ovulating, all other things being equal.
You can see who is close to laying by checking the space between the pointy pelvic bones.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-is-not-butt-check.73309/#ams-comment-508695
In some cases you may be able to tell recovery from molt and decreasing daily light by how combs and wattles grow and redden.

 

[sheneron]

Ok. They do currently have artificial light, so they should have enough light, unless my setup has malfunctioned.

I will try switching to a higher protein diet and see what happens.

 

[aart]

They do currently have artificial light, so they should have enough light, unless my setup has malfunctioned.

When did you start up the artificial lighting, and how is it set up?

 

[sheneron]

When did you start up the artificial lighting, and how is it set up?

Last winter I set it up and left the setup going to present day. At that time I did a gradual increase in earliness, and the light made them start laying.

I think it currently comes on around 1.5 hours before sunrise. In summer I guess it'd be like a half hour before sunrise.

It's an led light inside the coop connected to a timer and solar panel.

 

[aart]

Last winter I set it up and left the setup going to present day. At that time I did a gradual increase in earliness, and the light made them start laying.

I think it currently comes on around 1.5 hours before sunrise. In summer I guess it'd be like a half hour before sunrise.

It's an led light inside the coop connected to a timer and solar panel.

It's important to make sure the light is on the same duration(number of hours) every day.
Consistency is important.
Are you sure your solar panel can keep up?
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

 

[sheneron]

For anyone in the future reading this... I switched to a higher protein feed 16->20%. I also decreased the artificial lighting time and just figured I'd let them have a natural break over the winter.

We got some eggs in that time, possibly due to the food switch. Now, as day light hours have increased and we are getting towards spring they have picked up laying quite a bit again and I am getting about an egg every other day or so from each bird. So, all is back to normal.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's good to hear. But while I went a couple months with no eggs. They are all laying again. I remember this thread. Did we ever find out how many hens are in question or what breeds they are?

 

[DaisyBuff]

I have had this happen to my chickens. Mine quit laying for about 3 months, but that was due to a long molt. A regular 25- 45 watt Artificial Light has seemed to help my chickens.

 

[sheneron]

That's good to hear. But while I went a couple months with no eggs. They are all laying again. I remember this thread. Did we ever find out how many hens are in question or what breeds they are?

I have 6 hens, I think a few are buff orps. The others I have no idea.