One of my barred rocks went broody and was hatching the eggs from all 6 of my hens. As the days went on, I started getting less and less eggs. By the time 14 days had passed, I had gone from getting 4-5 eggs a day to 1 egg every 3-4 days. Now the eggs have hatched (3 days ago) and still no eggs. I live in Southern Utah and the temps have been 100+ degrees for about 6 weeks. Could that be the reason they stopped laying? If so, why only when my hen went broody? HELP!!!
I would think it would be from the heat. you can ice there water, and freeze a slice of water melon its a frosty tasty treat. and it probably is just when the hens had slowed production so it was probably just coincidence. I have 4 hens also not laying but I need a bigger coop so I think mine are just crowded.
You may want to check out this thread of mine: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers Heat will slow them down. Molting will slow them down. Fright from a predator stalk/attack will slow them down. Just read the thread and you'll realize that things ebb and flow with hens. Also, check out my sig line.
My guess would be the heat. There are several things you can try. Make sure they have plenty of water and it's cold. You can put a pan out with cool water because they often will stand in it to help cool off. Make sure they have plenty of shade and good ventilation in their coop. Feed them their grains/layer feed in the cool of mornings and evenings because digestion requires energy from the bird which causes warmth from them. Feed chilled fruits; watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, during the heat of day. You can also fill empty soda bottles with water, freeze them and place them in the coop or run to keep the temps down. If you can safely put a fan in their area, that often helps too.
