Hen stopped laying

[iluvpeeps]

My hen who I just hatched around this april had been laying for about 2 months and then she just stopped. Sh'e not even a year old and they usually don't molt during their first year right? Please reply.

 

[nurse_turtle]

'Tis the season. During fall into winter, the days are getting much shorter and many hens stop laying. It's a normal part of chicken life. Hens use the Winter season to rejuvenate and recover from a spring and summer of egg laying. If you want her to continue laying, you'll need to add supplemental lighting so she gets 14 hours of light. Keep in mind that forcing her to lay throughout winter may shorten her years of laying and her life.

 

[iluvpeeps]

ok but aren't the supposed to start molting when they're two years old because my other hens din't molt until then.

 

[Den in Penn]

Yes the first adult molt take place at about 18 months. What nurse-turtle was saying is the days are getting shorter, and chickens are photo sensitive. But first year hens tend to ignore the lack of light and keep laying, however at a slower rate. I don't know what breed you have. Some of the less productive breeds even in their first year can take extended breaks.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Not all molting is easily noticed. Some chickens molt like crazy and others are barely detectable.

 

[iluvpeeps]

ok, well I think she's and americauna

 

[Den in Penn]

Americaunas are not your every day layer and can take breaks.

 

[iluvpeeps]

ok thanks

 

[Scoutmedic]

This is my first year with chickens and both of my Americaunas and my olive egger stopped laying about a week ago. I thought it was odd for all of them to stop at once. Nothing in their diet has changed.


Thanks!!