Everyone quit laying - I feel like chicken tonight

[chicknsnbiskits]

Hey all. I'm frustrated here. I actually had to BUY eggs for the first time in years.
We have 5 hens, all just a couple years old. In the past, they have all laid more or less consistently.
For the last couple months, egg production has been dropping, until now, we get maybe 1-2 eggs/week.
The only thing I can think that has changed during that time is that we have new next-door neighbors who have 3 HUGE noisy dogs. They are on the other side of the fence, but several planks are broken, and the dogs stick their heads through and bark at the birds and kids. The fence is about 6 feet from the chicken pen and coop.
Could the dogs be scaring the girls out of laying?

 

[NonnasBabies]

Could be. Stress will mess up their laying for awhile that's for sure!!

Missi

 

[sunflowerenvy]

i am not sure but maybe your ladies are under stress or they are motted, or i heard they slow down lay egg around 2 yrs but i could be wrong i hope more pple will give idea why they stop.

 

[Duramaxgirl]

I would think stress to. But to be on the safe side did you check them for mites? Just an idea...

 

[chicmom]

Lots of things could be happening this time of year.....Molting, decreased daylight, and of course you're right, the dogs peeking through the fence and barking are no help at all. Also, once your hens reach around age 2, the egg laying will begin to decrease dramatically. I just re-homed four of my 2 year old hens for that very reason.