I am a new member

[patches948]

Although I am a new member to tje forum, I have been raising chickend for about 15 years. This winter my hens just stopped laying. I have 10 hens and 3 rooster and I have a light in the coop as I have done for years. I have never had them just stop laying so suddenly. They are black australorp and buffs and they are just over 3 years old. I usually order new chicks about every 2 years, but did not last year. And I have 2 or 3 other hens but are much older, one of which is an EE and she is about 12 years old and I was still getting an egg or 2 a week from her back in the summer. Any ideas what I can do or what might be wrong.

 

[joyous]

First of all Welcome!

, second, I have only had chickens for two winters. last year they never stopped laying and this year they just stopped in January! I thought maybe I had a rat or something, but gradually they are starting to lay again...maybe something different about the weather this year.

 

[3goodeggs]

Welcome!
Mine stopped too. After a molt, they do not have enough energy to lay eggs and grow feathers. Also, the short day lengths stop the ovulation process.
All will be well. I suppose because you always had young hens in the ranks, you always had some eggs.

 

[Cacciatore]

Welcome from Northern California.

My older hens will stop laying during the winter, but will start up again as the days get longer.

 

[Wild Trapper]

from Ohio

Long colder than normal winter. My GCs slowed way up for a couple weeks back when the days were the shortest, but are doing 5-6 a week now. My EEs are laying about every other day. these are all last years birds, so they have not yet been laying a year. I plan on adding a few to my flock this year and every year, just a few to replace older birds. If they get too old and quit all together, well.

 

[oldchickenlady]

from middle TN. My RIR's and BO's layed up until about mid November, then stopped completely except for one egg I found in late December...but it was frozen. Then they molted and are getting their feathers back now, so hopefully soon I will have some eggs. I did have a light on in the coop until about 8:30 at night, but finally just said to heck with it, it is too cold anyway. I think I will turn the timer back on now since it is starting to warm up and the days are getting a little longer. Mine were hatched last April.

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[jojo54]

Welcome from BC, Canada.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined.