Chickens on strike... for four months?!?

[SVTechChick]

So, like many people, I was SURE this would resolve on its own, but alas... my five girls, of varying ages of eight months to seven years, all stopped laying suddenly in June when we had a heat wave. Our Silkie went broodie for two months, then popped up all she always does and lays every day. But she is the only one who does! All have molted in successionm and look beautiful. But, our two year old polish had not restarted, and we have yet to see an egg from our westie at eight months!

They are healthy, free range, pest free, get layer pellets, black sunflowers, grubs, and left over veggies and fruit. I'm tempted to put a stock pot outside to encourage them... ideas?

 

[azygous]

I'm going to agree with you that stopping laying back in June and nearly no eggs since is not something to just accept as probably normal. Something is off.

You need to think back very carefully to when they stopped laying. What exactly were the circumstances? Please try to think of everything you did at the time of this heat wave and what you did when they stopped laying.

Diet often plays a significant role in how hens lay. What were you feeding them, including treats, before, during and after the heat wave? Not enough protein in the diet can affect egg laying.

Have you ever noticed any parasites on the chickens or in the coop? Have you checked lately? Coop mites can cause chickens to be anemic and affect egg laying.

Anything else that might have stressed the hens at the time or since?

 

[SVTechChick]

I'm going to agree with you that stopping laying back in June and nearly no eggs since is not something to just accept as probably normal. Something is off.

You need to think back very carefully to when they stopped laying. What exactly were the circumstances? Please try to think of everything you did at the time of this heat wave and what you did when they stopped laying.

Diet often plays a significant role in how hens lay. What were you feeding them, including treats, before, during and after the heat wave? Not enough protein in the diet can affect egg laying.

Have you ever noticed any parasites on the chickens or in the coop? Have you checked lately? Coop mites can cause chickens to be anemic and affect egg laying.

Anything else that might have stressed the hens at the time or since?

The only thing was that we had a fox in the neighborhood about the time they stopped laying, and he attacked several hens (untended at the local high school about a block away). No mischief since then, but I do know those chickens stopped laying then, too. They're are no parasites we can see on the girls or in the coop. And they are acting very healthy and look fabulous! So weird...

 

[azygous]

If this fox is still in the neighborhood, it may be coming around and you aren't aware of it, but the chickens are. Do you have a way to set up a game cam to see what could be lurking around at night?

Chickens are hyper aware of such things, and if it happens frequently, it may be causing chronic stress.

 

[aart]

get layer pellets, black sunflowers, grubs, and left over veggies and fruit.

Might want to scale back on everything but the layer feed and grubs.
How did you help them thru the heat waves?
Electrolytes, given moderately, can really help.

How many birds in how much space(feet by feet)?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely.

Do you free range at all?
Are combs nice and bright?
Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[feathermaid]

What time do you let them out to free range? If it's all day, they could have a secret nest out somewhere. If the older birds have already molted (they would quit laying during that time anyway) and if your pullets weren't showing an interest in nest boxes or watching older layers in the nests, someone may have unknowingly just dropped a few eggs out in the grass... and others thought that seemed like a great idea. You can try checking their ranging territory or leave them locked in for a few days to see if that might yield any eggs from your younger birds. But generally the ones who have fully molted probably won't start laying again until the days get longer.
My oldest hen quits for about 6 months every year from Sept to March.

 

[SVTechChick]

We have a doxie who 'patrols' along the coop all night long, and if there was anything like a fox within 100 feet, we'd know. He goes nuts over a rat that wanders by. They are all super healthy looking, bright combs and eyes, good vents, and except on, perfect feathers. They have a large fenced front yard on a corner, with lots of bushes and trees to hide under. Two fresh water bowls filled every day, plentiful places to scratch and dirt bathe. We have a total of five birds in a two story coop, maybe 20 sq feet and then a large yard for them to play in. No pesticides, just lots of yard.

 

[SVTechChick]

We have scrubbed the yard looking for a 'hiding place' and have not found one...they have indeed done this before. We found a huge cache of egs under a big lavender bush...we called 'The Spa'.

 

[azygous]

Lavender scented hens might have been a clue. Hee, hee!

 

[SVTechChick]

Lavender scented hens might have been a clue. Hee, hee!

lol....our girls are SO spoiled!