Hens Quit Laying

[jmorr]

I have 14 Hens and 2 Ducks. All were laying the entire summer but as of the past few weeks every single one has quit laying.

I've got my coop winterized so it's not overly cold but I don't have a light out there yet.
1. Any ideas as to why they quit laying?
2. Is there something I can do to promote egg laying again?
3. Would adding a light to prolong the "daylight" hours help?

I live in Central Illinois if that helps in terms of the daylight and climate I'm dealing with.

 

[fawndane]

How old are your chickens? It’s time for chickens a year old and older to start molting, which chickens can’t lay during their molt.

 

[frankdust]

Black copper Maran's and blue copper quit laying
premium feed, plenty of water, light and heat lamp in coop but all 8 hens quit laying. No eggs for 5 wks now. 7 hens are 10 months old and 1 hen 16 months old. All look very healthy but can't figure out why they all quit at same time? Any ideas?

 

[MillersFarm]

Black copper Maran's and blue copper quit laying
premium feed, plenty of water, light and heat lamp in coop but all 8 hens quit laying. No eggs for 5 wks now. 7 hens are 10 months old and 1 hen 16 months old. All look very healthy but can't figure out why they all quit at same time? Any ideas?

How cold does it get at night? Both breeds are pretty hardy and don't need a heat lamp. Infact unless they're are a small breed like a bantam or a serama most standard size chickens Don't need heat lamps.. I'd suggest taking it out. I've got a coop of 16 Seramas without a heat lamp and they do just fine in the winter.

 

[frankdust]

How cold does it get at night? Both breeds are pretty hardy and don't need a heat lamp. Infact unless they're are a small breed like a bantam or a serama most standard size chickens Don't need heat lamps.. I'd suggest taking it out. I've got a coop of 16 Seramas without a heat lamp and they do just fine in the winter.

It's been getting down into the 20's at night but heat lamp is only on at night but they quit laying 4wks before heat lamp was added. They r 10 month old black copper Maran's

 

[MillersFarm]

Take the heat lamp out. They're perfectly fine without it. Chickens don't feel the cold like us, It's been −20 °F around where I live and never have I once given my chickens a heat lamp.

 

[aart]

Black copper Maran's and blue copper quit laying
premium feed, plenty of water, light and heat lamp in coop but all 8 hens quit laying. No eggs for 5 wks now. 7 hens are 10 months old and 1 hen 16 months old. All look very healthy but can't figure out why they all quit at same time? Any ideas?

It's been getting down into the 20's at night but heat lamp is only on at night but they quit laying 4wks before heat lamp was added. They r 10 month old black copper Maran's

Do you free range?
They could be laying out in range area.

You say you have "light" in coop?
Is that to extend daylight hours for winter laying?
What are the details on that?
When did you start it and how long is it on per day?

Marans are not prolific layers, it could very well be that they have stopped for the winter due to shorter days. Also not impossible that they are or will be molting despite the 10mo age. Your older bird is most probably molting.

 

[sourland]

Temperature has little if not no impact on egg production. Factors that do impact egg production are breed, strain, diet, age, molt and very importantly day length.

 

[frankdust]

Do you free range?
They could be laying out in range area.

You say you have "light" in coop?
Is that to extend daylight hours for winter laying?
What are the details on that?
When did you start it and how long is it on per day?

Marans are not prolific layers, it could very well be that they have stopped for the winter due to shorter days. Also not impossible that they are or will be molting despite the 10mo age. Your older bird is most probably molting.

Started light inside coop 3wks ago and is on from 4am to 7pm

 

[aart]

Started light inside coop 3wks ago and is on from 4am to 7pm

And they stopped laying a week before that?
Do you free range?
Are they molting?
Lots of feathers around, and look close for new pin feathers growing in?

Using lighting is no guarantee, and it can take awhile to 'kick in'.
It's usually best to ramp light duration up slowly,
any drastic change can throw a wrench in the machinery.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.