My chickens have stopped laying (3month!!)

[LakeGooseBerry]

Hi Everyone,
This is my third year with chickens. I have 8 hens and a roo. They have been good layers but in August they all just stopped.

Any ideas about what's going on? Possible solutions? Is this the end of their laying?

 

[LlamaGirl4]

It’s winter so without at least 14 hrs of natural light then the chickens will probably stop laying. If you have artificial lighting in the coop then they could possibly lay. I would recommend doing it naturally and waiting until spring for eggs. I have lighting in my coop so I guess I can’t really talk but I sell eggs all year round. But even with artificial lighting i sometimes only get about 45-50 eggs a day with 66 laying hens

 

[LakeGooseBerry]

I have heard that they slow down when the light is reduced and yes I have always gone the natural way and will continue to. But last year they laid all winter with only minimal egg reduction.

So this is a normal thing.... for chickens to change their laying habits from year to year?

 

[Col1948]

If this is your third year, did they lay through the winter in the last two years?
I'm new to keeping chickens and I read that new pullets can lay through the winter but the next year they may stop, I'm just curious.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes, it is normal. By year three laying will slow down anyway even under the best conditions. Your ladies have molted by now yes? That stops laying immediately. The shorter days also stop laying, these things normally happen in tandem so it is actually a good thing. Be aware though due to age once the days get longer and your hens are set with new feathers you will likely only get an egg every other day from each. Now is the time to start adding to your flock if you want continuous egg production.

I have heard that they slow down when the light is reduced and yes I have always gone the natural way and will continue to. But last year they laid all winter with only minimal egg reduction.

So this is a normal thing.... for chickens to change their laying habits from year to year?

 

[Wezdin]

Especially if you have production hybrids, they will lay and lay then pretty much stop completely

 

[aart]

They have been good layers but in August they all just stopped.

How old where they in August...about 18 months old?
If so, yes normal to stop laying due to shorter days and are probably molting.

 

[Peggsblueinc]

I have 9 hens. They were free range but would go to coop to lay. But then started finding them laying where ever they pleased. So I closed to gate of their run which is approx 50x50. Big I think. Know they stopped laying. I know I have one that’s molting but the rest don’t look like they are. I’m only getting 1or 2 if lucky now. Are they rebelling or what.

 

[iml8agn]

Thanks for the info on here, our chickens will be three this february. I have two hybrid layers (isa brown) an australorp and a buff orpington. We used to get eggs regularly, 2-3 a day with only four hens. Then as you all said they began to molt and the days got shorter (we live in Maine) and about two months ago the eggs stopped. Will they return at all over the winter? Will they return in the spring? Should we add heat lamps or does it have to be light in order to encourage laying. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[aart]

Will they return at all over the winter? Will they return in the spring?
Should we add heat lamps or does it have to be light in order to encourage laying.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Maybe... after solstice....how long after solstice remains to be seen.
They need light, not heat, to stimulate laying.

Supplemental lighting can help,
but it's not like flipping a switch on the egg laying machine.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.