Egg laying

[Icantthinkofausername]

Hi, i have 3 golden comets that are just shy of 2 years old. I understand that production slows down after the age of 2. But they have not layed a single egg since the middle of the summer. They are fed organic layer feed and free range a few ours in the evening.(no they are not laying eggs somewhere else). I have recently got a 7 month old blue maran rooster and they all get along. Any ideas why they have stopped laying?

 

[meetthebubus]

It's really more a guessing game to answer that. Best thing is to go through a mental checklist about what life is like for them where you are.

Molting
Taking a longer break due to age and molting
The cold
Changes like the rooster even if you think they get along doesnt mean your ladies want or like being bossed around by mr roo lol so they are adjusting

Stress


But without knowing much of your situation I'd say it's a combo of all the above
Started with a break bc of age that led to molting and stress bc of changes that now leads them to it being cold and they haven't adjusted yet

Is my guesstimate p.s. welcome!

 

[Icantthinkofausername]

They molted in september and the rooster just became their room mate a month ago lol They had stopped laying in like late june before the rooster. Idk i guess they gave up on it lol

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC! haha! @ username!

They had stopped laying in like late june

Are you sure they are not laying out in range area?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
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[Icantthinkofausername]

Yes im sure because i only let them free range when i am outside and they follow me everywhere i go. Virginia

 

[aart]

Huh.
So, if they are just shy of 2yo, they hatched in spring of 2017?
....and stopped laying in June of 2018?
Something's wrong there...not sure what tho.
Lemons? ('lemon' being a faulty product, usually an auto)

 

[Melky]

Welcome!
Here is an article regarding egg laying but it sounds like stress from a rooster, molt, age, and decreased daylight hours are all having an impact. You can add supplemental lighting if want to make 14 hours of light per day but I just go with the natural process and do not add lighting. Chickens need rest when not laying. As long as on a good feed appropriate for age then probably ok. Will restart again soon. Good Luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/factors-that-influence-affect-egg-laying.64361/​

 

[Melky]

Just to be sure you can keep them in fenced run/coop just to rule out them building a clutch somewhere for a couple days-1 week. Many an owner have been surprised by a hen hiding a clutch.

 

[Icantthinkofausername]

Still has not layed any eggs at all i guess they are done. I got a couple silkies a few months ago from a friend and she said they layed almost everyday. Since i had them no eggs from them either i even bought the same food she normally feeds them i had chickens my whole life and never had this problem

 

[blackdog043]

Maybe you have an egg thief.
Are the nest boxes being used?
Do you hear them do the egg dance?