Moulting and no eggs

[Craigboy53]

Wow, pretty late molt isn't it?
These are all done and everybody is laying again.
Did ya'll hatch/buy them late or something ?

This is when we got them.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Maybe a bit soft, but you're care and the coop-space is very good.
A little warming for the coldest days is probably good. But Orpies can have -15 C too. Thats how cold it can get here in winter. And I know someone who never adds warmth in winter. Except for the water. Her birds are fine.

I have Brahmas and Orpington mixed birds I keep with no heat but we usually only have a few weeks out of the year that the temps dip below 0 degrees F. Last year we had 3 consecutive days with windchills of -20F. I didn't let them out of the coop those days and had to manually pour hot water to melt the ice in there waterer, but they survived.

 

[leslielbk]

If they'd only just behave! When they're molting they're on their own schedule and everything I've read said you can't really speed that up. With it being cold where you are that doesn't help. My chickens molted for almost 3 months and finally started laying again last week. One thing I read that's very important is that they get a lot of protein because they need that to grow new feathers. I fed them boss, bsfl, and even some cooked ground beef. I think it helps a lot and that might be the cause of your girls having such a long molt. More protein!

 

[fluffy9947]

Our three buff Orpingtons were a year old in August 2019, and we had been averaging two eggs a day. About the first week of September they started losing feathers, and by the second week of September, egg laying had stopped. We got one egg on Christmas Eve, which we though was a nice touch from the girls! Nothing since then. We are approaching four months with no eggs. Is this something that is breed specific? Does it have anything to do with them being a heritage breed?
The coop is clean, they have fresh water and Layena feed, grit and oyster shell. They get veggie scraps, and every couple days they get a cob of dried corn, which they like almost as much as the mealworm treats. The coop is well ventilated, and never gets below -2 C. as there is an infrared heater. They get 15 hours of light, natural supplemented by electric light on timer that comes on early.

Is this a natural behaviour cycle for Orpingtons? Four months without eggs is a long time. Would it be different with a different breed?
Thanks to all for indulging a newbie!

Hi, you're doing fine for them. I am sure your coop is brilliant. However, in my experience, and I also have buff orpingtons, they will not lay when it is too cold and when they have just been in moult. You need to give them a rest. If you want hens who will lay throughout the winter even without extra heating or light then I recommend Shetlands. However, any hen who lays 12 months a year is pushing it, and you will kill her. It's a bit like asking a woman to have a baby every nine months! I like mine to have a rest, get over the moult, which takes a lot out of them, and then get ready for Spring. It's not a hard ask to buy eggs from the shop for a few months a year?

 

[fluffy9947]

If they'd only just behave! When they're molting they're on their own schedule and everything I've read said you can't really speed that up. With it being cold where you are that doesn't help. My chickens molted for almost 3 months and finally started laying again last week. One thing I read that's very important is that they get a lot of protein because they need that to grow new feathers. I fed them boss, bsfl, and even some cooked ground beef. I think it helps a lot and that might be the cause of your girls having such a long molt. More protein!

Yea, I think you are so right about the protein. My avian vet says they need an average of 19% in the food when they are moulting. Left over mince is great, also sunflower seeds and chopped peanuts. Mine also love cooked fish, which is very high in protein.

 

[LindaKKlontz]

Our three buff Orpingtons were a year old in August 2019, and we had been averaging two eggs a day. About the first week of September they started losing feathers, and by the second week of September, egg laying had stopped. We got one egg on Christmas Eve, which we though was a nice touch from the girls! Nothing since then. We are approaching four months with no eggs. Is this something that is breed specific? Does it have anything to do with them being a heritage breed?
The coop is clean, they have fresh water and Layena feed, grit and oyster shell. They get veggie scraps, and every couple days they get a cob of dried corn, which they like almost as much as the mealworm treats. The coop is well ventilated, and never gets below -2 C. as there is an infrared heater. They get 15 hours of light, natural supplemented by electric light on timer that comes on early.

Is this a natural behaviour cycle for Orpingtons? Four months without eggs is a long time. Would it be different with a different breed?
Thanks to all for indulging a newbie!

I'm interested in any replies. I've got 5 hens of different breeds. Two have already molted. The other three are in progress. Mine were a year old about July 2019. I haven't had an egg in over a week. I'm a newbie chicken momma myself. I live in Central Texas.

 

[Craigboy53]

I'm interested in any replies. I've got 5 hens of different breeds. Two have already molted. The other three are in progress. Mine were a year old about July 2019. I haven't had an egg in over a week. I'm a newbie chicken momma myself. I live in Central Texas.

Well, the story just gets sadder. Here it is April 21, and so far in 2020 we have had four eggs, about five days apart. So this is going on seven months now without eggs. Based on recommendations from BYC, I began feeding them a starter food, higher in protein, in January. They were already getting daily supplement of mealworms, and BOSS, with the occasional scrambled egg, and vegetable trimmings for greens.
It has been a weird spring here in SW Ontario. As I look out the window, it is 1 degree C and snowing sideways (remember Les Nessman’s Eyewitness Weather..?) so I get it if the girls don’t like the cold, and don’t want to lay. Apparently the motivational posters I put up in the coop had no effect.
This doesn’t work for us. Three months with no eggs is fine, but almost 7 months with no eggs...they aren’t earning their keep. Maybe I’ll post a few chicken soup recipes in the coop........

 

[Mtnboomer]

I'm interested in any replies. I've got 5 hens of different breeds. Two have already molted. The other three are in progress. Mine were a year old about July 2019. I haven't had an egg in over a week. I'm a newbie chicken momma myself. I live in Central Texas.

Chickens often stop laying while molting but should come around once the molt is complete.
Weather is also a consideration. High heat, cold, storms, etc can also throw off their laying cycle.
Different breeds produce better than others and are more sensitive to others when it comes to these variables.
Daylight of course is the major player as chickens need 14 hrs a day to produce consistently. Here in VA, we are just getting to 13-13 1/2 hrs.
Overall health of course.
I wouldn't be too concerned until 2-3wks after molting and no eggs. Odds are you should see some soon

 

[Mtnboomer]

Well, the story just gets sadder. Here it is April 21, and so far in 2020 we have had four eggs, about five days apart. So this is going on seven months now without eggs. Based on recommendations from BYC, I began feeding them a starter food, higher in protein, in January. They were already getting daily supplement of mealworms, and BOSS, with the occasional scrambled egg, and vegetable trimmings for greens.
It has been a weird spring here in SW Ontario. As I look out the window, it is 1 degree C and snowing sideways (remember Les Nessman’s Eyewitness Weather..?) so I get it if the girls don’t like the cold, and don’t want to lay. Apparently the motivational posters I put up in the coop had no effect.
This doesn’t work for us. Three months with no eggs is fine, but almost 7 months with no eggs...they aren’t earning their keep. Maybe I’ll post a few chicken soup recipes in the coop........

Do you have 14 hrs of daylight? If not, add supplemental lighting to achieve 15 hrs. In a week id bet they start laying again.

 

[leslielbk]

Take 4 deep breaths...
At this point they're 1 year 8 months. I'm sure others have a comment about this but in cold climates it's best to get your chicks in the spring. Otherwise they become pullets in the fall, right during their peak growing time. Then they're in the coop with little sunshine (supplemental light is great but it isn't sun) and this matters a lot when they're growing.
So then their first moult was in the fall & days are getting shorter and shorter. Depending on how cold it got during the moult, their energy would have to be put into staying warm and growing new feathers at the same time. It probably made complete sense to their bodies to conserve energy until days got longer, so no eggs. I know they do fine in the cold but the energy to stay warm has to come from somewhere.
All this is to say don't lose hope. It's really good you've been giving them supplemental lighting to help get them through winter time. Get them outdoors as soon as the sun comes out if you can. I didn't read through everything, but prepare a little space for them to noodle around and be outside. Sunlight is crucial for egg laying.
Once I looked at the timeline it just seemed like the timing was off for optimal development. I'm sure they'll start laying once the weather warms up and it is sunnier. You may always want to give them supplemental morning lighting though if the days aren't very long.
Breathe...and don't put them in the pot just yet.