Chickens not laying

[KRMorris]

Hello,
Could anyone tell me how to get my chickens to lay more eggs? I think it's the heat. I went from having more eggs than I knew what to do with, to having none. It has been very hot here recently and I think that may be the problem. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[FrostRanger]

If it's the heat, just make sure they have shade and water. Other than that, nothing to do but wait

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It’s the heat and you do not want to try to get their bodies to start laying until it cools down. Chickens stop laying in the heat because the process of laying creates more internal heat. When it is too hot out they stop so their bodies to not go into heat stress.

 

[KRMorris]

If it's the heat, just make sure they have shade and water. Other than that, nothing to do but wait

Okay. Thanks. They do have plenty of fresh water and shade. And I also let them free range during the day which seems to have helped them start laying some. Not as much as before but better than nothing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hens stopping or reducing laying is a very common topic on here. Some things to look for.

Are they molting? Different things can cause a molt, even out of season. Are you seeing feathers floating around? If you are seeing many feathers we can discuss this in detail.

A very common reason we think they are not laying is that they hide a nest on you. Some of them can be really sneaky about hiding a nest in the coop or run, even if they don't free range.

Is something getting the eggs? Many egg-eaters will leave clues, broken eggshells or a wet spot. Snakes, canines, and humans do not. A snake will eat a few eggs and disappear for two or three days while it digests them, then come back for more. If it is an everyday shortage it is not a snake.

A fox or coyote would probably be more interested in your hens but a dog might leave the chickens alone and eat eggs. Does a dog have access?

A human does not have to be a stranger. In some cases it has been someone playing a practical joke or someone living there taking the eggs.

Sometimes if they are stressed they can take a break. Predator attacks (real or perceived), a change in pecking order, going without water for a couple of days, or changing their housing or nests can cause a disruption in laying. Extreme heat or cold can also cause a change in laying.

I don't know where you are but with the heat some of us are seeing that could be the culprit.

So what can you do? If you can lock them in the coop only or coop and run you may keep them from a hidden nest or lock out an egg-eating predator. It sounds like you started free ranging after the problem hit so this may not be very helpful. You can discretely mark an egg ort two and leave down there. If they disappear you know something is getting your eggs. Other than that, the only thing I know is to wait it out.

Good luck! This can be frustrating.

 

[Acre4Me]

In the heat of the summer, the chickens hunker down in shade. They do not drink lots of water or eat during the heat. Luckily, my run is in full shade at around 2 pm. If I bring them a wet mash of their feed in the afternoon with a few seeds sprinkled on top, with ice cubes in it, they gobble it down! They are getting the correct nutrition and drinking cool water. Usually within a week I’ll see production increase, especially if I do this every hot day. Also, make sure they have cool water to drink regardless of the wet mash. They like cool water, not warm or hot.

This time of the year, the light is decreasing. Their pineal gland on top of their head senses this, and some of your chickens may be going into molt soon. During molt they generally stop laying as they are putting all their resources to create new feathers, which are made up of mostly protein.

 

[Mrs. K]

Chickens actually vary quite a bit in egg production, and consistency. Freeze eggs, or water glass eggs when plentiful and use when a bit short.

 

[jfporter1120]

All my chickens get fresh water and feed. They free range as well. Yes this is molting season. But my young hens that are not molting and should be laying...nothing. I have had no eggs out of at least 40 hens. I have been raising chickens here in GA for 4 years...heat and all and my girls laid eggs through the summer. I don't see any signs of predators and for precautions I do keep traps out. No signs of rats or other intrusion. I just never had this happen before. I understand less eggs but no eggs since late June is strange. The once molting don't even look like they are molting except 1 rooster out of all my chickens. Rather puzzled by it all. There has to be something going on but what? I feed the best food everyday and always make sure the water is fresh. Thank you for any help.