chickens not laying

[bsmith1]

i have 17 a year old to two years old that were laying good when i first got them and then they just quit they are free ranged what could be the problem here

 

[iwiw60]

Could be two things:
1) you free-range...have you looked for hidden nesting areas? Most likely they are laying their eggs somewhere out there.
2) the days are getting shorter now that winter is coming. Shorter days, less sunlight equals less egg production.

 

[Happy Chooks]

They are likely molting. Are you seeing feathers everywhere? When they molt, they cannot lay eggs - they need all of their energy to replace feathers.

 

[Scott16475]

I have four black Austrolorps who are 24 weeks old. One laid an egg on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but nothing since. A second hen laid on Sunday and nothing since. From what I've read on here, it's pretty common for new layers to stop laying at first but is it common for them to stop for three straight days? The hen who laid Friday thru Sunday went into the nesting box this morning, set up camp for an hour, but then came out without leaving an egg.

I've aged since I got these chickens. They're stressing me out. LOL.

 

[iwiw60]

I have four black Austrolorps who are 24 weeks old. One laid an egg on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but nothing since. A second hen laid on Sunday and nothing since. From what I've read on here, it's pretty common for new layers to stop laying at first but is it common for them to stop for three straight days? The hen who laid Friday thru Sunday went into the nesting box this morning, set up camp for an hour, but then came out without leaving an egg.

I've aged since I got these chickens. They're stressing me out. LOL.

I also have four Black Australorp ladies...how cool is that?!!

When they first started to lay, here's the counts I have recorded:

8/5 .. 1
8/6 .. 1
8/7 .. 0
8/8 .. 1
8/9 .. 1
8/10 .. 1
8/11 .. 0
8/12 .. 2
8/13 .. 1
8/14 .. 1
8/15 .. 0
8/16 .. 1
8/17 .. 1
8/18 .. 2
8/20 .. 1
8/21 .. 2
8/22 .. 1
8/23 .. 1
8/24 .. 2
8/25 .. 3
8/26 .. 1
8/27 .. 2
8/28 .. 1 (discovered 2 soft-shell eggs on coop floor)
8/29 .. 1
8/30 .. 3
8/31 .. 3

It's always a hit-n-miss when our girls first start to lay...they really don't know what's coming out of their rears.. they freak out (and I don't blame them!)

 

[Scott16475]

That's very cool. They have a lot of personalities! Only two have started laying and clearly at this point, only two are part time layers. They're beginning to really annoy me.

 

[iwiw60]

That's very cool. They have a lot of personalities! Only two have started laying and clearly at this point, only two are part time layers. They're beginning to really annoy me.

Aww, don't be annoyed....give your girls lots of love and let them know you care. You need to remember, too, your ladies are "coming into lay" very late in the year. Right now days are getting shorter, and getting colder, and they may very well be getting ready to molt. All those things contribute to slow laying. Me personally? I say let the girls have their deserved rest for the winter...but then that's just me!!

 

[woody1]

i have 17 a year old to two years old that were laying good when i first got them and then they just quit they are free ranged what could be the problem here

They are prob'ly going into molt. Are you feeding them a layer ration in addition to the free range? Days are getting shorter. Are you giving them additional light, like at least 14 hours total?

 

[woody1]

To Scott16475, Not to worry. It may take several weeks for new layers to get themselves regulated. You don't say what you're feeding them. They're needing the right amount of protein and additionally, with the shorter days, additional light. HTH

 

[Scott16475]

Quote:
Hi, woody1. I feed my girls organic layer feed. I also mix oyster shells in with their food as well as a seperate container of oyster shells on the side. I installed a light inside the coop to extend the days as well. After going three days without an egg, one of the girls gifted us one yesterday.