Hens suddenly quit laying eggs in Feb. ?

[sue3]

I have just 6 hens less than a year old. Most of them started laying eggs in the fall and I have been finding eggs most days throughout the winter. About 1 1/2 weeks ago now there has been no eggs each day now. I am puzzled, since the days are getting longer and nothing has changed for them. I have had chickens for years and they might normally quit laying in the darkest part of winter but not suddenly in Feb. as the days are starting to get longer. We have had a milder winter than normal so it is not from extreme cold either. Any thoughts on this. I don't find any evidence of eggshell bits, as if they were eating them.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I have just 6 hens less than a year old. Most of them started laying eggs in the fall and I have been finding eggs most days throughout the winter. About 1 1/2 weeks ago now there has been no eggs each day now. I am puzzled, since the days are getting longer and nothing has changed for them. I have had chickens for years and they might normally quit laying in the darkest part of winter but not suddenly in Feb. as the days are starting to get longer. We have had a milder winter than normal so it is not from extreme cold either. Any thoughts on this. I don't find any evidence of eggshell bits, as if they were eating them.

Its very possible they have stopped for a little while. Do you free-range?? If so you might want to not do that a few days to see if they are laying and you do not know where.

 

[cjperrault1]

I have just 6 hens less than a year old.  Most of them started laying eggs in the fall and I have been finding eggs most days throughout the winter.  About 1 1/2 weeks ago now there has been no eggs each day now.  I am puzzled, since the days are getting longer and nothing has changed for them.  I have had chickens for years and they might normally quit laying in the darkest part of winter but not suddenly in Feb. as the days are starting to get longer.  We have had a milder winter than normal so it is not from extreme cold either.  Any thoughts on this.   I don't find any evidence of eggshell bits, as if they were eating them. 

that's interesting are they molting?

 

[sue3]

They are not free range as I only have bantam hens and fear they would be picked off by predators. Only one is broody acting also. Sure hoping they are just taking a brief break, yet it seems like an odd time for all of them to do so.

 

[cjperrault1]

They are not free range as I only have bantam hens and fear they would be picked off by predators.  Only one is broody acting also.  Sure hoping they are just taking a brief break, yet it seems like an odd time for all of them to do so. 

are they getting grit and are they getting enough calcium? If not that may be the problem,or they may be hiding there eggs from you check everywhere possible

 

[sue3]

I have searched for another hidden nest, have not found one. Will try adding calcium to their diet also, and see if that helps.

 

[sue3]

They are not molting either.

 

[cjperrault1]

They are not molting either. 

they could be taking a break

 

[gemma23]

Do you have a light in your coop?

 

[albsure]

Same thing just happened in my flock. Have 12 hens about 9 months old that have been doing great all winter long. Suddenly I'm getting one or two eggs per day.
I'm in Indiana. Maybe weather fluctuations? We're now getting plenty of daylight but had a string of gloomy days.
Going to add oyster shell.