I am bewildered!

[chigin lady]

My name is Katy, and I have been a BYC raiser for more than 25 years. I currently have a situation with my small flock of 8 that I have not encountered before. They started molting in August, and although they are healthy and full feathered now, I am still getting zero eggs! I have 4 Americaunas, 2 Welsomers, 1 Golden Wyndotte, and 1 Speckled Sussex. They range in age from 2 to 5 years. They are healthy with red combs and no sign of parasites or disease. They get lay crumble, scratch, meal worms and kitchen scraps daily. I have an automatic watering system (of my own design) and I put a little apple cider vinegar in it a couple of times a month. I live in a very temperate area here on the Central Coast of California. Temperatures average 45-55 at night and 60-70 during the day. They have a secure roost at night and a mostly dirt yard to run in. Because of the severe drought, grass yards are obsolete unfortunately. They did have a light up all night but now it is just motion sensored, which spooks the raccoons.
Why am I not getting a single egg from any of them for 4 months now! Their longest previous molts were less that 2 months. Any advice, knowledge or suggestions are welcome! Thank You.

 

[N F C]

Hi Katy, I would guess the it's their age that is causing the lack of eggs. Egg laying drops off after about 2 years of age. You also might try omitting the scratch and scraps. My own flock is over 5 years old now and I haven't seen an egg for weeks (which is ok, they're mainly pets anyway).

Best wishes!

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. In addition to what NFC stated, loss of daylight hours during fall and winter causes birds to slow or stop laying eggs. Egg laying will pick up again in the spring.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Welcome to Backyard Chickens.
Enjoy your time here! I second, the above comments.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Very likely reasons for the loss of production have been offered.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska !

 

[LaFleche]

Hello @chigin lady , and welcome to the BYC community!

Have you checked their vents yet? With laying hens, their pubic bones are more separate (up to two fingers wide) than with hens that don't lay.
There might be an egg thief around stealing the eggs of your hens: Crows, snakes, opossums, rats, hedgehogs etc. - everyone loves eggs!

You could set up a coop camera to unravel the mystery.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Katy, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and welcome to BYC. You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of with many knowledgeable members who are willing to help you along your journey with any questions you may have. Enjoy

Best of luck with your girls, hope they start laying again soon for you.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC Katy! My ladies are 2 years old, and since they started molting this year the eggs are few and far between. Hopefully your hens will give you lots of eggs again in the spring.