do chickens just shut down?

[jimz1]

It seems that ever since daylight savings time, some of our chickens completely quit laying. We went from 8 to 11 per day down to 1 to 5. We lost a nh red a while back and it seemed like after that they just shut down. The EE hasn't laid an egg for about 3 weeks. I know the loss of one and them not laying is just coincidence, right? Is it the cold and loss of daylight? Will they pick back up if I put a light in the coop?
Please help me!!!!!!!!!

 

[LindsayB]

My 3 easter eggers have stopped too.

I've been buying eggs for the past month. It stinks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Short days and colder weather (they use more energy to keep warm). A light would help, but some chickens just do not lay wl in the winter.
If you use a light, put it on a timer to come on around 4 am. Don't leave it on at night, it is hard for chickens to find their roost if it suddenly gets dark.

 

[patman75]

Chickens need 14 hours of daylight for peak eggs laying production. You will need a light and a timer if you want them to keep laying all winter.

They could also be molting, if they are they will stop laying eggs.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

They may be molting, are there a lot of feathers around? are there combs a little paler and smaller?

 

[hispoptart]

Mine sped up.

 

[artsy1]

I live in Fla. and it really hasn't gotten cooler, but I have added a lght in coop. Have had it in there for 4-5 weeks now.
My 2 BANTAM RIRS haven't been laying eggs either. 1 is broody, even though there is no eggs for her to sit on.
So I have taken the nest boxes away. keeps trying though. No eggs for weeks?????????
I know they aren't sick, I know they don't have worms, their diets haven't changed.
It is good to know I am not the only one going through this.

btw, they are young and only started laying on9/9

not molting

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, they do, at certain times for various reasons, because they need a break or because their body is growing in new feathers, etc.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

Where in FL? even in the deep south here mine had always molted by this time of year (although lack of sunshine never slowed them down) a couple of pics might help to ID the problem.

Also check for a hidden nest or 2.

 

[welasharon]

I'm in North Florida and mine moulted and stopped laying...the seramas have now started back. Miss ugly is the only one who never quit. My o shamo is laying but the marans, barred rock, and ALL the polish have quit. 11 hens and I get from one to three eggs now. It'll get better.