New Chicks/Whole Flock not laying eggs

[KatFree1]

Hi there,
I have an established flock that recently, for the first time, had hens go broody. At first it was just one, then another, and then suddenly all hens were sitting on eggs. Sometimes they sat on each other in the boxes. In the end, two chicks hatched, one survived.
My question is why is my entire flock not laying eggs, rather than just the momma hen? And how do I get them back laying?
Thanks!
Kat

 

[sourland]

Broodiness is a hormonal thing. All of the hens have experienced these changes whether or not they hatched chicks. This coupled with shortening day length and the possibility of a molt have combined to cause your hens to take a break in production. They will start laying eventually.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

First off, welcome!

Secondly, Your other hens may not be laying due to molting. This is the time of year when chickens molt their spring and summer feathers, which typically slows or stops egg laying until they finish. The other thing is that they could still be a little broody and haven't started up again.

 

[KatFree1]

Broodiness is a hormonal thing. All of the hens have experienced these changes whether or not they hatched chicks. This coupled with shortening day length and the possibility of a molt have combined to cause your hens to take a break in production. They will start laying eventually.

Thanks for your reply. So they will not likely start laying again until after she weans the chick?

 

[KatFree1]

First off, welcome!

Secondly, Your other hens may not be laying due to molting. This is the time of year when chickens molt their spring and summer feathers, which typically slows or stops egg laying until they finish. The other thing is that they could still be a little broody and haven't started up again.

Thanks for your reply. I'll keep an eye out for molting, but I haven't seen any signs of that yet.

 

[sourland]

In all likelihood the hens without chicks will restart laying before the hen with the chick. Age and breed of your birds may also be a factor.