Help--from 26 eggs a day to 2-3 per day whats up?

[Motel Chix]

I have had chickens for awhile and have about 45 hens. On Satuarday they just stoped laying? It is colder, but I have a light on a timer and had plenty of eggs last winter. They have been loosing feathers on thier head, neck, and ends of thier wings. Doesn't look like molting, not sure why they just stoped laying.
Help!

 

[NurseNettie]

Maybe you've just hit a combination of a molt starting, and the days getting shorter? Maybe they aren't fooled by the light on the timer???? Or do you have an egg thief?

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Are these heavy breed layers?

 

[Opa]

Where are you located? It sounds like a combination of seasonal egg reduction and molt.

 

[debilorrah]

I think it's toom uch of a coincidence for it to happen to ALL of them at once. Squirrels are famous for stealing eggs - every last one they can get their hands on too.

 

[hcammack]

sounds like they may have mites check the feathers if not they are probably just starting a molt or have been laying non stop to long and are stressed and need a break.

Henry

 

[Motel Chix]

Yes they are mostly Heavy breeds and leghorns??? I live in Indiana. I noticed today they are sneezing a little. I hope thay are not eating them, I don't see any shell pieces or sticky nests. They are in a fully fenced in pen-1 foot in ground and protected by a electric fence wire 6 inches all the way around. May be molting all at once or sick maybe.