my 2 chickens aren't laying eggs

[ThickenTheChicken]

They have full access to water and laying feed 24/7. They just aren't laying eggs. Cleaned the coop 2 days ago so they aren't hiding any. Not brooding. Not free range as of now, predator killed my other 3 earlier this year. Introducing new chicks in a month or two- so they will be more social/ more flock mates soon.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Where are ypu located? In the northern hemisphere, they're on winter break until roughly February without artificial light keeping them going

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

florida

 

[rosemarythyme]

How old are they? Hens over 18 months or so often stop laying (or slow down drastically) after annual molt as day length shortens.

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

A couple years old

 

[rosemarythyme]

There's your explanation then!

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

There's your explanation then!

Thanks

 

[Weeg]

Can you post photo's please? What breed are they? Its hot unusual for high production breeds to stop laying after a couple years old. They usually don't completely stop laying, rather lay only on occasion.

 

[ThickenTheChicken]

Can you post photo's please? What breed are they? Its hot unusual for high production breeds to stop laying after a couple years old. They usually don't completely stop laying, rather lay only on occasion.

buff Orpington and Australorp. Just over 2 years old.

 

[fluffy07]

DON'T try to ask your chickens to lay 12 months of the year! They need a break. If you create situations where they continue laying all year you may cause them health problems and you will shorten their lives. See the articles on this. You wouldn't want to be pregnant continuously! Give them lots of protein, mealy worms, black oil sunflower seeds, crushed peanuts, to help their new feathers grow and they will start laying again in the Spring. Good that you are bringing in some new ones, as two chucks alone are quite lonely. They are hugely sociable animals and 6 birds is the minimum I would keep.