Chickens stopped laying

[Nthenderson]

Hi,

Im new and my name is Nathan. I have had chickens for awhile and every was going good but now my 4 adults stopped laying.

Here's what is going on: I got 4 chick in March/April and they have been laying 4 eggs per day. I ordered 8 more chicks - colorful and heritage birds last June/July. They all have been living together for last 2 months. Still have a few pecking order issues but not many. Producing eggs ok until last week. I noticed the smaller birds were sleeping in the nesting box. So I added a roosting bar and moved the birds out. I've cleaned the coop the same day. I've removed the younger ones for the last few nights hoping for some eggs. Still not getting any. Can anyone help me understand whats going on?

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Where are you located? This time of year some hens will take a break, and eggs become more sporadic until early spring.

 

[aart]

Im new and my name is Nathan. I have had chickens for awhile and every was going good but now my 4 adults stopped laying.

How old, in months, are these adults?

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Nthenderson]

Hi and Thanks on the pic to update profile. We live just south of Cincinnati OH in Northern KY.

 

[Nthenderson]

I added my location. Still looking for help

How old, in months, are these adults?

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1550122

 

[aart]

Still looking for help

So you have 4 pullets laying(~6 months old).
And 8 pullets about 4 months old that have been living with the older birds for 2 months.

Did they stop laying when you cleaned the coop and removed the younger birds from the nests at night?
Removing the youngers from the coop is not going to help,
when you add them back in it will disrupt things again.
Chickens don't like change.

Do you free range?
They may be laying out in range area.

They may also just be slowing down due to shorter days.

 

[Nthenderson]

Sorry missed the age question. They ones who were laying are maybe 7/8 months. The younger ones that I don't expect to lay yet are about 4 months.

How old, in months, are these adults?

Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!
View attachment 1550122

 

[Nthenderson]

I got 3 eggs yesterday! Fingers crossed it may have been the bedding. I changed it didn't put the same back in. I didn't realize they hated change that much.

So you have 4 pullets laying(~6 months old).
And 8 pullets about 4 months old that have been living with the older birds for 2 months.

Did they stop laying when you cleaned the coop and removed the younger birds from the nests at night?
Removing the youngers from the coop is not going to help,
when you add them back in it will disrupt things again.
Chickens don't like change.

Do you free range?
They may be laying out in range area.

They may also just be slowing down due to shorter days.

 

[aart]

I got 3 eggs yesterday! Fingers crossed it may have been the bedding. I changed it didn't put the same back in. I didn't realize they hated change that much.

Yeah, they are weird about changes.
I totally changed out my coop bedding and they refused to set foot on it all afternoon,
you'd think I laid out hot coals they make such a huge loud fuss. SMH.
Now I save some of the old bedding to sprinkle over the new to reduce the 'different look' effect.