My girls are not laying!

[Tera Renee]

I have 8 chickens that are almost 2 years old. I had been averaging 6-7 eggs a day until about 3 or 4 months ago. They were molting when it started but the egg production never came back. I'm lucky to get 2 a day now, have had some no lay days. I have a light on a timer to give them there 12 hours of daylight. I have increased protein (all flock, boiled eggs, tuna) and they get some sort of "treat" every day. All kinds of fruits and veggies, lots of greens. Can they get too many "treats"? They do not get to free range as much as I like, especially during the winter, but do have a run 8X16. I have 5 different kinds and my 1 leghorn is the only laying most days. (she's our only white egg is the only reason I know it's her!) I do have 2 that are getting "pecked" on and feathers pulled. I know that is a whole other subject and just purchased some No more Peck. Would this keep those 2 from laying? Any advise would be great. Thanks all.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Not at all unusual for second year birds to take a break from laying. They will resume laying, but not at the previous rate. Treats should not be more than approximately 10 % of their diet.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Well, they are two-years old, so maybe it's just because it's winter. And most birds' production slows down or perhaps just stops 'round this time of year. But I guess I thought heat lamps are supposed to help some breeds keep laying. But now I'm really not sure.. I'll tag @The Angry Hen. Maybe she'll have a guess. Sorry if I'm not much help, but I hope you find out the reason why they've stopped laying, and I hope they start again soon!

Edit:

 

[Latestarter]

First, greetings and welcome to BYC. There's lots of great info, knowledge and experience shared in the threads. And awesome folks ready to help when you have a problem or question. Browse around and make yourself at home!

Please put at least your general location in your profile as that normally has some bearing when you ask for help/advice. I'm assuming you're up in a northern state someplace. As for you problem, typically pullets/hens will lay through their first winter and after that will molt/stop laying in subsequent winters. They typically need to have their light maintained at 14 hours as fall and winter pass to keep them laying. They also stop when in molt as making eggs and making feathers both require a lot of protein.

Since you're not giving 14 hours of light, and I don't know if you started soon enough, my guess would be that they should start back up here within the next 6-8 weeks. Of course that depends on how far north you are and how quickly your days lengthen. As for the feather picking, that does cause a lot of stress for them and can cause them to stop laying. Do you have enough space in your coop for that many birds? 4 square feet per bird? 10 square feet per bird in the run? both minimums?

 

[The Angry Hen]

Hello Tera! Pleasure to meet you and welcome to Backyard Chickens! Good to have you and thank you for joining. As far as your question remains, I might not be tons of help... But I really do think that the statement given in the quote below is a very valid point and I agree with the writer. Good luck and God bless. Do well on your journey.

Welcome to BYC. Not at all unusual for second year birds to take a break from laying. They will resume laying, but not at the previous rate. Treats should not be more than approximately 10 % of their diet.

Best regards,
-Kaitlyn

P.S.

Thank you for mentioning me, @Better Than Rubies.

 

[Tera Renee]

Thank you all for your help. I thought I did my research on how much room they needed before I got them but the numbers seem to be changing? The have a 4x8 coop and an 8x16 run. Not enough? I could expand if I have to because I wouldn't want to get rid of any of them. I was planning on free ranging but hawks came around the very first day they were out, so I only let them out when were in the yard. I am in Missouri and it has been much colder this winter than last. They have a heat lamp at night cause I just can't bare the thought of them getting too cold, though I have read I don't need one here. I worry about then more than my kids, is that bad? Also, 14 hrs of light, not 12? I thought everything on the internet was true?!?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Yes, there is a thing a "too much treats", I was guilty of that Gave them cause I felt guilty that they were confined, mine can't free range but their enclosure is 8 x 12 x 7 and there's only 4 BOs

The minimum advised space is 4 sq ft per bird in the coop & 10 sq ft per in the run BUT more room the better Chicken Math

I too have read 12 - 14hrs of light for Winter months = laying but I prefer to let my girls have a rest, no light. Think alot has to do with the breed too, I have BO they started laying in Oct & haven't taken a break, I get 3.5 eggs per day. Would prefer they "rest" some for their health. Not knowing your location it's hard to figure weather/daylight ...

 

[Latestarter]

8 chickens in an 8x4' space would be the recommended 4' per bird. 8 chickens in an 8x16' run would be 16 sq feet per bird so excellent.

Still no idea where you're located, but regardless, heat lamps are generally speaking a very bad idea in chicken coops. Too much risk of fire for one thing. Secondly, as long as there's no draft or direct wind on them when they are on the roost, and there's adequate ventilation to keep from having a moisture build up in the coop, chickens can do quite nicely down to -20°f or even lower for short periods of time (several nights in a row for example).