Hens on strike?

[smith76]

Well its been over 3 months since the hens quit laying and all of the sudden we have an egg. Is the strike over? See what happens tomorrow I guess.

 

[Jrose]

I've had streaks of egglessness. I have 1 phoenix who will go through a few weeks of daily laying then stop for a month or two. An Auracana who lays nearly every day. Also have 3 New Hampshire Reds who usually give 2 eggs a day between them.

I have seen molts go by without a decrease in egg production, and then I've seen molts where I had no eggs for 2 months.

I had a month or so of almost no eggs during this summer's heatwave. We actually had about 6 straight weeks of 100+ weather.

I also had a hen who went broody after they neighbor's roosters infiltrated my yard and discovered my hens. She wouldn't let anyone lay in the coop! I thought my other girls had stopped laying! I started finding eggs randomly dropped around the orchard, and one day discovered a great collection of eggs on a desk in the car port!

I've noticed, too, that water consumption drastically effects my girls' egg production. If your water is changed regularly or they don't have good access, try changing that.

 

[tatertot]

No one? Dont have much luck getting advice on these forums but I guess most people in the BYC raise chickens as pets and have very little knowledge of raising their own food or animal husbandry. City people think chickens are people too.

 

[tatertot]

Are you sure nothings scaring them? What are they eating? Do they have enough daylight hours?

 

[smith76]

Well just an update, started letting my birds free range and my wife started giving them treats. Now they are laying regularly again and walter the rooster is doing his job because the eggs are fertile. I even have 10 in the incubator just for fun.

 

[write2caroline]

How old are your chickens? There are many factors that can inhibit laying. Broody, molting, heat, cold, stress, They can be sneaky and laying eggs away from the normal places, You could have a snake eating eggs or another predator. The chickens could be sick or have parasites. Have you moved them to a new area. They may be past prime laying and slowing down the laying.

My hens layed very well for about a year and a half before I noticed they were slowing down. I live in Florida so heat is an issue here. I think you need to post more information in order to get good information back.

I would also look and see if they are hiding eggs. Once in a while they will lay under a tarp or by a tree. And do look for evidence of snakes - they are pretty sneaky too and will lay in the coop and go for the eggs when the hens are not around.

Caroline