Does less daylight equal zero laying?

[Eric R]

I have a few hens that are not laying, I'm assuming, because of new additions to the flock except they had not been laying a few days before the new additions. We are getting about 12.5 hrs of daylight at the moment. Is it possible these hens won't lay again until next spring?

I also have some pullets that will reach laying age in about a month. Is it possible they won't lay until spring?

The new hens I just got are also not laying. Is it possible they won't lay again until spring?

I also have a hen that hatched chicks and has left chicks a couple weeks ago but is still not laying? Is it possible she won't lay again until spring?

P.S.
I also discussed purchasing some hens about a week ago with a seller in my area who mentioned his hens weren't laying at all right now either.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old is everyone? Those over a year will quit laying to molt from now until December. Most resume between December and March depending on when they molted and whether they are higher production birds or not.

Those maturing here in the fall will generally start a month or so later than those maturing in the spring. They should lay through the winter at a decreased rate. Laying will pick up from February to April where you will get your best production for the year.

Be careful bringing in birds from multiple sources. You could end up with birds getting sick from diseases they haven't developed immunity to.

Being moved to a new home is stressful which will cause hens to stop laying. Some will resume, and some might go straight to a molt if they are older.

 

[Eric R]

3 of the hens I brought into the flock never stopped laying so that was a win. The hens are all over a yr except the pullets. 2 of the hens I already had been regrowing feathers on their saddles ( I separated them from the rest. Also why I got more hens) but they are fully feathered now. I'm hoping some of the others I just got will start to lay soon. They are our first Ameraucanas and my wife is dying to try the blue eggs! I mixed them all together within a weeks because I wanted to lessen the continued stress of adding more and more hens over time. They are acclimating very well so hopefully they will get comfy enough to lay again soon. I was just worried that the stress added to the lack of daylight may keep them from laying at all until spring. Long time to wait.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some may not. True Ameraucana don't lay a lot, or consistently. Easter eggers tend to have better production, but many over a year won't lay through winter.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have found EE to be among my best layers.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, it's a sad time of year...eggs are naturally a seasonal food.
Many olders in my flock are molting, pullets have not started laying yet.

Lack of daylight, molting, integration stress...all can cause cessation of lay.
If you free range, some may be laying out in range area.

Telling us more about your goals and housing setup might garner some viable solutions. Supplemental lighting may help, but it won't be guaranteed or instantaneous.

 

[Eric R]

Welcome to BYC!

Yes, it's a sad time of year...eggs are naturally a seasonal food.
Many olders in my flock are molting, pullets have not started laying yet.

Lack of daylight, molting, integration stress...all can cause cessation of lay.
If you free range, some may be laying out in range area.

Telling us more about your goals and housing setup might garner some viable solutions. Supplemental lighting may help, but it won't be guaranteed or instantaneous.

I don't mind if they don't lay for a good reason just don't want it to be a sign of something else wrong. I was also just curious about whether it would be a complete halt to egg laying or just a slow down. But it's good to hear we have some hope for some more eggs before Spring and if not no big deal. Thanks for all the quick responses. I'm loving this site! I have these chickens at my business location in the back ( we have an acre) and boy they have helped SOOO much with stress. When work gets too hectic, I just stop what I'm doing, go outside where all my hens flock over to me (awesome feeling btw) I give them some scratch, collect some eggs and stress is gone and I get back to work. Anyone else's 15 minute breaks that cool? hahaha

 

[aart]

Most often they will totally stop....for a few weeks to a few months.
Some birds only lay a few a week some lay 4-5-6 days a week at peak.
There's much variation in all things chickens, can take a couple years to be able to spot specifics...just keep observing.

 

[Eric R]

Got our first blue egg today! Hope the others come along as well. On a bizarre note, our rooster was in the nesting box that had it. He was also growling like a boody hen would. Sooo weird. He also bawked over and over when I kicked him out which sounded like a hen that had just layed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I often find younger roosters in the nestboxes trying to show hens where it's good to pay. I also find some just sitting in there, they look a bit foolish, and can startle me.