Hens not laying since July

[Chickymama0505]

Hello,
I live in Maryland in the U.S., I have six hens. Three of them are about a year and a half and the other three I got in April of this year. I have seen lots of threads for chickens not laying eggs and I cant seem to find one on the problems I am having unless I missed it. Right now, out of the six hens I have only two are laying. I have One RIR, two Americana's, and three Plymouth Rock. The two eggs (if that) that I get a day are from the Plymouth Rock. I stopped getting eggs from my Americana's in about july because one started molting. For some reason the other Americana hasn't laid at all. Now maybe it is because I had introduced this year the two Plymouth Rock hens, but by now they all seem to get along. My RIR hasn't laid in about 3 weeks. She was molting earlier this year and started laying and now just stopped. I have two coops for them because I had to keep the Plymouth Rocks separate from the other girls for a while, so there is plenty space for them to lay. All of them are free ranging and have access to food, water, treats, etc. I just want to know why the Americana's haven't laid and on of the Plymouth Rocks hasn't laid at all since getting her. Also, why my RIR isn't laying. I know they go through fazes of laying and not, I just think its weird that most of the summer and now into fall, I am having troubles with them not laying. So, basically all year ive just had on and off 2-3 hens laying. And why haven't my Americana's not laid since molting?. Thanks for any help!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The older birds will quit to molt. Some start as early as August, and generally goes through December. Most will not resume until after December, and others not until March or after.

This year's pullets will be slower to start this time of year, and will lay at a decreased rate until early spring generally.

What type of ration are you feeding? I recommend either a non medicated starter grower or an All Flock ration to optimize laying. They both have a slightly higher protein. Provide an separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

 

[Hteeter2]

You might want to get a camera inside the coop to find out what really is going on. I've had a possum who has been stealing my eggs. My plan is to get me a Wyze cam for my coop once I get the money. It's a cheap can with night vision. $19.99 for the cam and $9.99 for a SD card. Hopefully once I have a camera inside; I'll catch things a lot quicker next time.

 

[SVTechChick]

Curious to hear if your girls are laying again. Mine all stopped around June, and except for my Silkie, virtually no eggs until about a month ago, in December. Even my poult, who is now nine months old did not lay her first egg until she was eight months. The girls are >1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, and now in California winter we're getting 3-4 eggs a day. So strange!