Chickens Stopped Laying Randomly!?

[True Patriot]

Molting could cause them to stop laying, but I would be shocked to find out they all woke up one morning and decided, "hey we're all going to stop laying and molt today". So to me that checks molting off the list.
I live in southern Georgia, it's been hot, yes. But the average temperature has been the same for three months, why stop laying now. There hasn't been a major weather pattern change that I've seen. Egg eating, Hidden nests? Worth looking into. No history of any as stated. Predation, another possibility to look into. But the big question to me is, is there basis in the theory that they stopped because the OP left. This, if proven, could be a great topic for further investigation. I don't know how, but the idea that they form an attachment bond strong enough to override a body function is highly interesting. Please keep us posted on how things are going and especially what they do when you return.

 

[crazychickenlady95]

Molting could cause them to stop laying, but I would be shocked to find out they all woke up one morning and decided, "hey we're all going to stop laying and molt today". So to me that checks molting off the list.
I live in southern Georgia, it's been hot, yes. But the average temperature has been the same for three months, why stop laying now. There hasn't been a major weather pattern change that I've seen. Egg eating, Hidden nests? Worth looking into. No history of any as stated. Predation, another possibility to look into. But the big question to me is, is there basis in the theory that they stopped because the OP left. This, if proven, could be a great topic for further investigation. I don't know how, but the idea that they form an attachment bond strong enough to override a body function is highly interesting. Please keep us posted on how things are going and especially what they do when you return.

I am most certainly going to update this when I get home and take a closer look! I actually am outside with them every single day holding, hand feeding treats, and sitting with them. My friend who is caring for them said she thinks they do not care for her much. I am going to be so excited if they love me that much LOL!

 

[jolly wattles]

Molting could cause them to stop laying, but I would be shocked to find out they all woke up one morning and decided, "hey we're all going to stop laying and molt today". So to me that checks molting off the list.
I live in southern Georgia, it's been hot, yes. But the average temperature has been the same for three months, why stop laying now. There hasn't been a major weather pattern change that I've seen. Egg eating, Hidden nests? Worth looking into. No history of any as stated. Predation, another possibility to look into. But the big question to me is, is there basis in the theory that they stopped because the OP left. This, if proven, could be a great topic for further investigation. I don't know how, but the idea that they form an attachment bond strong enough to override a body function is highly interesting. Please keep us posted on how things are going and especially what they do when you return.

If you were to ask my wife the chickens are hers. Lol I travel alot for work and sometimes I'm gone a month at a time. When I'm home for awhile they seem to love me as much as her. But when I'm gone awhile I'll tend to em and for the first couple days the hens just stare at me while Conway (rooster) yells at me. And they will change their laying locales. (We have nest boxes inside the coop and outside in the run). After a couple days they are back to being used to me.
I find it hard to believe or extremely odd all those hens would stop laying at once. Must be a hidden nest somewhere.

 

[RodNTN]

Never had a problem with eaters! There is more than enough room and usually my girls lay every single day for me! Hopefully they are just a little stressed from me being gone. I will be back Friday and can update more!

Yes, hopefully! Do they free range or are they confined to a run? Maybe they are 'hiding' their eggs.

 

[crazychickenlady95]

Yes, hopefully! Do they free range or are they confined to a run? Maybe they are 'hiding' their eggs.

They are confined to a half acre run. She found one egg in the corner of the yard but hasn't found any others!

 

[jolly wattles]

They are confined to a half acre run. She found one egg in the corner of the yard but hasn't found any others!

You'll find them eventually.

 

[TheLittleFarm18]

You'll find them eventually.

This made me LOL

 

[RodNTN]

They are confined to a half acre run. She found one egg in the corner of the yard but hasn't found any others!

Do you have any buckets, bushes, etc. they could be laying behind/under?

 

[Cluckerzfamilyfarm]

I agree, I do believe they will not lay in the boxes because you were no longer around. My mother in laws do it too when I take care of them time to time. If the coop itself is a fair size and you use hay on the floor I would look through the hay as well. I cleaned this morning actually and found one hidden. And I mean hidden lol not on top it was buried in the corner under the hay.

 

[crazychickenlady95]

Hi folks! So I made it home today. I looked high and low for eggs. Under everything I could look under. No eggs in sight! They seemed extremely happy to see their mama! I did notice one of my girls is molting but the rest seem normal. If I get eggs soon, I will let you know!