My hens stopped laying

[whatbeginsabetnotthat]

I have four one and a half year old hens. All of the sudden, two of them stopped laying completely, and one lays irregularly. I thought maybe they had clutches in the woods, but I locked them in the coop for a few days because I was gone and then came home to only five eggs, three layed by the same hen. They are still eating, drinking, sleeping fine, etc, but I can’t figure out what is wrong. Any thoughts??

 

[nuthatched]

Likely molting, mine are and it's about time for it at a year and a half.

 

[Dynamissa]

What the heck.

Two of my five stopped as well.. but it turns out one of them is internally laying… at a year and 4.5 months


The other might be as well.. but I can’t tell. But she’s had funky egg issues for a month now. i Have no idea what the hell is going on…

 

[Yardmom]

Hens that have been laying for a year and a half will take a break. Molting will likely begin soon. In the future they will take laying breaks more frequently.

 

[rogerbawkbawk]

My three hens stopped laying two or three weeks ago. I see feathers all over the place, so I am sure they are molting, but when will they start laying eggs again? I heard feeding them high protein might help encourage laying and lessen the length of time they are not producing eggs. How long will this continue? Can you feed tuna to chickens? Any thoughts or idea's would be welcomed.

 

[FrostRanger]

My three hens stopped laying two or three weeks ago. I see feathers all over the place, so I am sure they are molting, but when will they start laying eggs again? I heard feeding them high protein might help encourage laying and lessen the length of time they are not producing eggs. How long will this continue? Can you feed tuna to chickens? Any thoughts or idea's would be welcomed.

They should pick back up around spring, it's not just molting that causes hens to stop laying, it's also the shorter days

As for tuna, technically yes, but I really wouldn't because tuna contains mercury. That's why they tell people not to eat more than a certain amount every week and why you shouldn't give it to cats too often

 

[Debbie292d]

My three hens stopped laying two or three weeks ago. I see feathers all over the place, so I am sure they are molting, but when will they start laying eggs again? I heard feeding them high protein might help encourage laying and lessen the length of time they are not producing eggs. How long will this continue? Can you feed tuna to chickens? Any thoughts or idea's would be welcomed.

The next time you need feed, look for an all-flock. That will have 18-20% protein, vs. around 16% for layer feed. The only other difference is that it has less calcium, so you need to supply a separate dish of oyster shell.

Scrambled eggs is high in protein and a healthy treat.