- Jul 24, 2013
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There are many explanations for hens that aren't laying.
Firstly, are you sure they're all pullets? Most roosters are easy to spot by this age, but there are always exceptions.
Similarly, are you sure of their age? Chickens purchased from a seller may not be what they were sold as. Older pullets may actually be much younger, and laying hens may turn out to be old birds that are past their laying prime.
Next, could they be eating their eggs? Have you noticed any eggshell fragments around the coop, or noticed yellow discoloration (from yolks) on the faces of your pullets? Egg eating chickens often consume their entire eggs, shell and all. Also, is it possible that they are hiding their eggs? If allowed access to the outdoors, chickens will sometimes create their own "nests" and continue laying eggs there instead of in readily accessible nest boxes.
Another possibility is that they're about to begin molting, or have already begun. When chickens molt, they lose feathers and their energy goes into growing new feathers. Consequently, they stop laying. Molting is often triggered by few light hours and colder temperatures, which makes it common at this time of year.
Lastly, has anything stressful happened to the flock lately (predator attack, etc.)? Stress causes reduced egg production in laying hens, and may delay egg production in point-of-lay pullets. If stress was the cause, your pullets should begin laying within a few weeks.
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