Hens are not laying now that the days are getting longer?

[ehoneybee]

My BO has been laying since I got her from a friend. She is a 1.5 years old. The other 2 were born in May and the EE started laying in October and the Wyandotte in November (which I was really surprised by as I figured it wouldn't happen until spring). Anyway, the BO molted and didn't lay for a month or so but then started laying again (which I was pleasantly surprised by). So up until this week, all 3 were laying, yay! but now they've stopped. No eggs all week. It seems odd that they would lay up until the shortest day of the year and then not resume when the days get longer. Do you think they'll stop now until closer to spring?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

During this time of year they will lay and take breaks, it's normal. Production will pick up in March and April.

 

[ehoneybee]

Oh ok! So they will still lay here and there? How long are the breaks typically?

 

[bobbi-j]

Oh ok! So they will still lay here and there? How long are the breaks typically?

Hard to say. Every bird is different.

 

[SueT]

It seems odd that they would lay up until the shortest day of the year and then not resume when the days get longer

It's going to be almost imperceptible at first that the days are getting longer, the shortest day of the year was only yesterday.

 

[ehoneybee]

It's going to be almost imperceptible at first that the days are getting longer, the shortest day of the year was only yesterday.

Ha ha I know just thought it was odd they were chugging right along until now.

 

[RodNTN]

My hens are taking their yearly break right now, as well!

 

[ehoneybee]

My hens are taking their yearly break right now, as well!

So what is their schedule like?

 

[RodNTN]

So what is their schedule like?

Hmm, let's see. They usually pick up laying again in late March, lay all Summer, go through their annual molts in Fall (laying declines) and kind of pick back up in Winter. The hens that would usually be laying 6 or 7 eggs a week in Summer, are only laying 2 or 3.
One week they might lay 5 eggs, and the next I'm lucky if they even lay one. They pick back up in March again, and I am up to my ears in eggs! So it differs a lot

 

[old mama hen]

Ours (Production Reds) went through the fall molt and slowed down. This last month though out of 12 hens we are getting one a day most days. This are production reds and are about 1-1/2 years old. Have had others Red Sexlink and they didn't cut back nearly as much. Really, bad for my egg buyers.