No eggs for over 3 months?

[SpeckledPullet]

I have a flock of 9 laying hens. All are healthy as can be. 2 of my girls are Australorps and usually give me a steady 2 eggs daily.

So, for the past 3 months I've had NO eggs.

They are on the same food as always, same water, same coop, etc. The only thing I can put my finger on is that I did have a snake show up about 3.5 months ago or so, but the chickens acted like he wasn't there and continued to lay. About 2 weeks after that was when I quit getting eggs.

Also, I noticed a lot of feathers in their pen and original assumed they were all molting ... but does it make sense for ALL hens to quit laying and for this long of a time?

Any advise for me?

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Also forgot - they are healthy as can be. No mites, no nothing. They are healthy and have gleaming, beautiful feathers.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Howdy!

That is unusual to have NO eggs for that long. My first thought is they've found a newer, better place to lay that you haven't discovered yet. At least that's been my experience with Australorps. Now I check the four "known" laying spots, and about once a week I turn over the woodpile, look behind straw bales etc. to see if anyone's gone rogue.

Bryan

 

[welasharon]

I only had three hens laying and now none of them are laying at all. Been close to three weeks. I am in N FL too. Mine seem to be molting somewhat.
sharon

 

[teach1rusl]

Bryan brought up a good point...do they freerange??? If so, there's a chance that they're laying, but elsewhere. Three months does sound like a long time (considering the time of year yours began molting, when there was still decent light). I'd cut back on all treats (scratch, etc.) except for the high protein ones. Do you extend their day w/artificial lighting??? You might need to do so by this point if you're not doing so already...

 

[Dar]

I have 25+ hens... I went from getting ~15 eggs a day down to 2... stayed at 2 for about 3 months now..... today WHAMMO!!!!! I was blessed with 18 eggs today

 

[SpeckledPullet]

Quote:
Wonder what caused it?

Sounds about like me. I'd love for the buggers to start laying again.


Thanks everyone for the help. As for the free ranging, no they do not free range. They have a 20 x 20 area and I have checked everywhere for a hidden stash.