entire flock not laying eggs

[vicki98]

I have one broody chicken I have put in the barn since Sunday. All my hens have been refusing to lay for 2 weeks so I removed her. Still my hens (none of the other 5 are laying. Could there be something wrong I can't see? They have clear eyes, eat and drink well. Sounds crazy I guess but it feels psychological. Anyone ever had this happen? Any ideas? Thanks Vicki

 

[aoxa]

The days are getting shorter.. Are they going through a molt?

 

[babyrnlc]

Mine are all molting. In the super hot summer I was getting 7-8 eggs a day from my 9 hens. We gave away two and are down to 7, but on a good day we get 3, yesterday we got none.

It looks like a pillow exploded in my coop and run though.

 

[ECBW]

Organized labor and work stike?

Other than that, I am not sure if day light is a factor yet. My area still gets 12 hours. My production is still steady.

As for molting, I think it happens after one year of production and yearly afterward. So an 8-month-old should not be molting. However, it could very widely. My 3-year-old Leghorn is partially naked and completely eggless for the first time in her life.

 

[baileysbackyardbarn]

I have the same problem! I have 13 chickens and none are laying! I can tell for sure 2 or 3 are molting cuz they are naked but I don't understand why none are laying. My chickens have always been moody when it comes to laying but they are all in their prime over 6months under 2yrs. The only one that's laying is my runner duck! Could it be they are all molting and I can't tell. How long does the molting process take. I'm getting sick of buying eggs!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I looked at your other posts, since there were only a few. I saw that you have chickens that are over a year old. That is old enough to be doing a fall molt and to be effected by shorter winter days. It's not uncommon for chickens to quit laying due to a molt and then be effected by the short days and not lay until the days are longer in the new year.

Not all chickens have a hard molt, where you see bare patches. Many chickens eat their molted feathers. So, you may not notice a molt, especially if you are new to chickens.

Stress can stop chickens from laying, but it usually has to be something very extreme. Like moving to a new home, adding new chickens to a flock that causes infighting or a bad predator attack.

 

[vicki98]

Yes, mine are or were molting. Don't know how long it lasts. Didin't realize they would stop laying completely. My broody chick is hard headed, this is the 3rd time seperated and I am making her wait a week in the barn. Hope this works, she seems maybe better a little. Is there something I can do or give her to help get her out of broody state? I am so new at this ~Vicki

 

[vicki98]

I got a new dog a month ago-he's pretty good with the chickens but he's an Autrailian terrier and looks a bit like a fox. Could that Be the stress?

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Here's an article from the Univ of Florida on factors affecting egg production. This might give you an insight into your problems.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ps/ps02900.pdf

 

[vicki98]

Thanks for the article link very helpful. Not sure if they need more light but I might try that after the molt is done. I really appreciate all of you. Being new to chickens, it is so great to have advice!