Girls stopped laying, help!

[rhuxol]

Little background, I have 3 hens just turned 4. They molted the fall but then never really picked back up all winter even with supplemented light. But, in the Spring they took off! 2-3 eggs a day. Within the last 2 weeks the temps here in KC have gotten to be more like summer and the girls stopped laying. Also there are feathers everywhere in coop and run. My easter egger looks like she is molting, is it possible for molt in the summer?? The other 2 look fine but I do see feathers of theirs around. Any clue what is going on?

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[GitaBooks]

After a few years of age chicken production drops. They will lay in the spring, when all birds naturally feel the urge to lay, but than they will gradually stop again to just a few a week.

Birds sometimes have a molt when something bad happens, such as they go hungry for a day or perhaps they had an illness. They may also molt just because in their mind its time.

Lots of feathers are normal in my barn, where it looks like a bunch of chickens have been killed after they molt. Sometimes I'm looking around for an injured chicken and realize its just molted feathers.

Hope everything turns out well!

 

[pdirt]

Yes, it could be another molt. And they are aging to the point where they won't be laying as many eggs. It could also be worms, or something else.

You're in Kentucky? Have you wormed them ever? Seen any signs of worms? I ask because my understanding is generally the further south you go, the greater chance of worm issues. Meaning, someone in Alaska is less likely to have worm issues as someone in Louisiana.

 

[BlessedCountry6]

I've had my chickens stop laying multiple times, not enough forage, not enough light, getting kicked out of the coop for a few days so the new little ones get acquainted with their home, extra work on the coop to upgrade perches or add a nesting box and too many roosters in the flock.

Lots of small issues. I go back to the basics. I keep them in the coop a bit longer than I normally do with a warming light, I give extra feed and check how filled their crops are, make sure there is plenty of water and take some time to watch them.

I had 4 taken by Eagles this spring and that seem to stress them too. Either I have a sensitive flock or its normal for changes to affect them.