Girls Quit Laying

[candaceg]

Our flock of five just turned two in May and they have all but stopped laying. We used to get 3 -5 eggs per day, but now we are lucky to get 5 eggs in a week. Girls are healthy, not infested with lice, etc., eating balanced feed and drinking, temps are not too hot, not too cold. I know they slow down as they age, but this seems really drastic. Anyone have a similar situation with "older" birds? Is it time to re-flock the henhouse?

Leading to the next tough question...I want eggs and not a flock of pets. Any recommendations for the best way to humanely and quickly dispatch them? I don't think there is a "chicken retirement home" in my area.

 

[katplitt]

I have 4 barred rocks who have done the same thing. I noticed a fair amount of feathers laying around and figured they were molting, (although they never lost all of their feathers). After a while they did start laying again, but I have never gotten 4 eggs in one day like I did when they were younger. I have been trying to figure out why they stopped laying for about 3 months now. Molting is the only thing I can come up with. Hope that helps.

 

[trunkman]

Don't feel alone, I have 5 hens that laid 25 to 30 eggs a week, for the past three months now I have been getting 5 to 8 eggs a week. I'm still waiting for them to start back up, the only difference is that I introduce new chicks and they slowed with the production, but still it is very frustrating, can't wait till they start back up if ever...

 

[ga_goat]

I don't think there is a "chicken retirement home" in my area.

Try craiglist or freecycle usually works for me and usually fast .

 

[nanawendy]

Could they be hiding the eggs in a sneaky place, or the weather too hot. Could there be an egg eater???

 

[fmk]

I've a similar problem - down from 4 eggs to one per day from my 4 hens. I noticed two of them actually 'building' a nest in some long grass recently - could they be planning to lay outside for a change?