I'm new to the site as of today, but was reading some of the question and answers a few days ago. Observation #1, I had no idea chickens lived that long. Observation #2, I had no idea a chicken laid eggs practically it's whole life. So we're really new at the farming thing. 5 mini horses and 10 chickens about 2 years old. ( 1 rooster ) My girls have stopped laying eggs for the last several weeks. 1 yesterday, 2 today. Any suggestions on whats going on? They free range, I have poop on my front porch and no more flowers in my garden to prove it. I averaged 6 to 9 eggs per day all summer so it is a noticeable difference. Does anybody have a guard rooster? Mine challenges any new comer to the yard regardless of who or what, plus he sets and crows of the porch in the morning until I either case him off with the hose or feed him some cat food. Thanks Bill
There is a big debate about cat food being bad for chickens, I have no horse in the race, but you may want to check out BYC's page on food and treats. Could they be molting?
2 of my chickens are 3 yrs old and they have always went through cycles when they didn't lay eggs. Then they will start back. One is a silkie and the other is a cochin. Right now the silkie is broody and is not laying eggs. Are any of your hens broody, that could be the problem. Good luck
Have you checked them for worms and/or lice, mites, etc.? Sometimes an infestation can cause them to stop laying. BTW-Chickens are good at faking they are healthy and fine. Check their vent areas. If they look dirty or have tiny bug eggs near their vents, that might be it. Also see if they are eating their feed regularly or are they getting thinner? Just some things to look for. I just finished worming my own chickens for the same reason (one stopped laying and isn't eating much but is otherwise fine.) Through my research I found that free range chickens are more susceptible to lice, mites, worms, etc., because they are exposed to wild birds and eat bugs that carry the parasites. Might be worth checking into. Good luck!!
Pullets usually lay through their first fall and winter without a problem. After that, they can start having a seasonal rhythm to their laying. They may go broody in the spring or summer and stop laying during that time. Some chickens go broody multiple times a year, some never go broody. Mine usually go through a heavier fall molt, which can reduce or stop laying, temporarily. It takes a lot of protein to build new feathers. Some chickens have more gradual molts and some drop a lot of feathers all at once. Feather growth rate is also effected by how good the diet is, just like egg laying. When day length shortens, that can also reduce or stop laying in chickens. Some breeds are better winter layers than others. I like to add supplemental lighting to my coop in the winter.
