Hens stopped laying

[Lbyrd8512]

All of our hens have stopped laying. Now instead of laying eggs in the nesting boxes they just leave poop. They never have done that before. They will be two in February but I didn’t think hens stopped laying that soon and 3 of the hens are younger than our others. It’s been a couple months that they haven’t laid any eggs.

 

[SpicyDisaster]

Welcome to winter! The time of recovery and freeloading We are down to 3 of 12 laying eggs right now. It's been a slow decline since molting started in October. I hear it should pick back up as the days get longer.

 

[Lbyrd8512]

Welcome to winter! The time of recovery and freeloading We are down to 3 of 12 laying eggs right now. It's been a slow decline since molting started in October. I hear it should pick back up as the days get longer.

Oh okay. I wasn’t sure if it was normal or not because they Laid last winter and my husbands parents hens are still laying. So I just didn’t know if something could be causing it

 

[SpicyDisaster]

Oh okay. I wasn’t sure if it was normal or not because they Laid last winter and my husbands parents hens are still laying. So I just didn’t know if something could be causing it

Different breeds have different habits also. My neighbor has Rhode Island Reds who just started laying in October, they are all still going strong. Ours are different breeds (see signature) and started laying in August. So ours has a few months of heavy laying and then seem to have decided to rest during the winter since. Except the Wyandottes and a single Buff Orpington.

Depending on when the hens started laying they could have kept going through the first winter no problem but on their second winter they aren't able to. Or it could just be a breed difference between your girls and your in-laws.

 

[Lbyrd8512]

Different breeds have different habits also. My neighbor has Rhode Island Reds who just started laying in October, they are all still going strong. Ours are different breeds (see signature) and started laying in August. So ours has a few months of heavy laying and then seem to have decided to rest during the winter since. Except the Wyandottes and a single Buff Orpington.

Depending on when the hens started laying they could have kept going through the first winter no problem but on their second winter they aren't able to. Or it could just be a breed difference between your girls and your in-laws.

Oh okay that makes sense. Thank you!

 

[3KillerBs]

Have they been molting? It's normal for hens in their second year and beyond to molt in the fall and to stop laying while molting.

 

[aart]

All of our hens have stopped laying. Now instead of laying eggs in the nesting boxes they just leave poop. They never have done that before. They will be two in February but I didn’t think hens stopped laying that soon and 3 of the hens are younger than our others. It’s been a couple months that they haven’t laid any eggs.

Most birds have their first adult molt during their second fall/winter....and will stop laying due to short daylight hours.

 

[chickenmomandmygirls]

Have they been molting? It's normal for hens in their second year and beyond to molt in the fall and to stop laying while molting.

Exactly what my Rhode Island Reds did and they are in their 2nd year and almost done their molt, thank God. They were looking quite swanky, but, this week they're getting pretty again. I was down to 2 eggs per my 11 girls and now back to 5. I am considering weaning them onto meat bird feed for Jan & Feb so they have a break.

 

[Lbyrd8512]

Most birds have their first adult molt during their second fall/winter....and will stop laying due to short daylight hours.

Have they been molting? It's normal for hens in their second year and beyond to molt in the fall and to stop laying while molting.

Have they been molting? It's normal for hens in their second year and beyond to molt in the fall and to stop laying while molting.

So they did have bald spots on their backs and I just assumed the rooster was pulling the feathers out. But I’m not sure that that wasn’t the case because they Had been having bald spots since the summer time. I really don’t know much about molting

 

[3KillerBs]

I really don’t know much about molting

Some birds molt gently, feather-by-feather. Some birds enter this contest: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...est-worst-chicken-molt-pictures-2021.1488212/

Here's a useful article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/molting-all-you-need-to-know.76895/