chickens not laying

[knurse1]

I have 8 chickens, 3 Buff Orpington, 3 Barr Rock, and 2 Wyandotte. About 5-6 weeks ago they all just stopped laying. Seems like they initially were molting. Now they continue to not lay. They have had no trauma or stress, except change in colder weather. None of them are brooding. The chickens are about 10months. Does anyone have any clues or suggestions to get them laying again.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

My pullets are not laying either. My older hens are but at a slower pace. It has more to do with light than warmth. Some people use extra light to help like I do. Usually about enough light to read a newspaper at roost height. 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night. But no, promises. Good luck.

 

[ChickNanny13]

It's shorter days/sunlight from all that I've read. Light in the coop is what is being said to remedy the slow down/stoppage of eggs. Hens need at least 14hrs of light for their egg cycle. Where is your location?

I'm in Hawaii, it gets darker (5:50 - 6pm) & stays darker (6:30 - 7am) longer but I've been LUCKY so far, still getting 4 eggs a day, some days 3 with my 4 BOs (8 months).

Since they were molting, increase their protein but feeding mackerel, tuna, mealworms, BOSS I feed Flock Raiser from the time chicks are 6 - 8wks, adding a separate dish of Oyster Shells when they show signs of laying. I also ferment from day one.

 

[song of joy]

The molt can take as long as 2 months, so they're probably not finished yet.

Are you in the northern hemisphere? If so, the days are short and that will keep them from laying. I usually see egg laying pick up again within a couple of weeks of the winter solstice.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Most chickens need about fourteen hours of lighting per day to lay eggs.
I have a light in the coop on a timer, set for 4am to 8am every day during fall, winter, and early spring. It helps with egg production, although not totally.
Many of my birds are molting too, which means time off for them.
I feed an all- flock feed, with oyster shell on the side, which works better than a layer feed, IMO.
They will come in lay again!
Mary