Help! Hens Not Laying

[Prieto1399]

Yes, I've had Wyandottes, they take a break in the winter as well. There are production breeds that will lay all winter, but they don't live as long....

That's good to know! It's a bit of a relief. I was worried changing their food wasn't working for them, or something else going on. Thank you!

 

[PopoMyers]

Now, don't be too concerned unless by next March they are not laying. Winter is rest time for their egg factories. You MAY still get an egg from time to time.
Next late summer into fall, you can add more protein to their feed to help with molting, which when it begins happening can look like a pillow fight gone awry, or just a handful of feathers falling out. They may begin to look raggedy, or multicolored as new feathers replace old ones in different areas on them.

 

[bill3607]

That's good to know! It's a bit of a relief. I was worried changing their food wasn't working for them, or something else going on. Thank you!

I have had some pullets that lay all the way through winter. I have also had first time layers start in the dead of winter. And, I have also put light on hens (not pullets) and kept them laying through the winter.

Does putting light on them work? Has for me. Does it work for all breeds? I don't know. Will it cut down on how many years they lay? Probably. Does it cause any other problems with health? I haven't noticed it. I have lost some chickens to predators, but never to being sick.

I am also in South Alabama so that may play a role in the laying as well since we do have milder winters usually. But, I do know the light has worked for me. The hens do not lay through the winter if I don't provide the extended light, if I do, they do.

Edit to add: The answer to your original question of if you are doing anything wrong being why they are not laying is no just like everyone has said.
And, I am not advocating for you to provide artificial light. I am just saying it does work, at least for me. So, if you wanted them to lay year round, it might be an option for you to consider.

 

[StinkyAcres]

About six/seven months. The Wyandottes are closer to the six month mark, and the Sapphire Sky are closer to the seven month, I believe.

So they are not hens yet. Pullets usually lay through their first winter. I think they will start back up again shortly.

There could be a few reasons they have stopped:

1. They are taking a break. All hens and pullets take a break from laying for up to a few days. This is normal and lets them rest.
2. They are molting. Hens usually stop laying altogether during a molt which can last a few months. Pullets do not usually go through a hard molt at this age, so I don't think that is it.
3. The change in weather and daylight hours have slowed them down. Again, since they are young, I think at least some of them will start laying again despite it being winter.
4. The feed change has caused them to take a break. Any change or stress can put a pause on laying. The feed change was not necessary - they can stay on all-flock their entire lives - but there is nothing wrong with feeding them layer feed either.

Also, it is totally normal to get strange eggs from first-time layers.

 

[Thymewarrior]

Even the Wyandottes? I thought I read that they lay all through winter.

If it is that they're just done for the winter, I'll feel much better, like I didn't do something wrong for them!

I'm not trying to argue, promise! I'm just learning all about these little ladies!

Hi, I'm new to Wyandottes but I have also read that they lay all through the Winter. They were originally bred in Maine for really cold weather and their fluffy butts keep them warm. Mine are nine months old now. I have six and only two have started laying but those two are still laying and it's a cold December. I used to have Rhode Island Reds and they never even slowed down in the Winter and they were prolific! They also loved running around in the snow!

 

[Dynamissa]

My SLW stopped laying the past 4 days as well (I’m in capital region NY) she’s seven months old. During the most recent snow there was a day where we had no eggs and she just didn’t start up again like the others (mixed flock) … I’m on edge and watching her like a hawk but she’s pooping normal.


She has always laid speckled brown eggs..

 

[The Coop Crew]

My SLW stopped laying the past 4 days as well (I’m in capital region NY) she’s seven months old. During the most recent snow there was a day where we had no eggs and she just didn’t start up again like the others (mixed flock) … I’m on edge and watching her like a hawk but she’s pooping normal.


She has always laid speckled brown eggs..

It’s most likely the cold mixed with shorter days! I wouldn’t worry
Surprisingly my two layers haven’t stopped yet but I’ve been expecting it since we’re in MI and it’s cold and the days are super short.