No eggs in a year...

[holderh]

Hi! I’ve had chickens going on 10 years now and this is the first year I’ve experienced this problem. My chickens are usually free range and were on layer pellets. Last year around April/may they quit laying. Their ages range from 1yrs -9 yrs old. I realize the older hens will not lay often but we haven’t had any eggs in almost a year from any of them. I thought they may be hiding them and kept them up in their large run in for a few weeks but still no eggs. They have always been on a layer pellet but we were not getting any eggs. I did switch them to an all flock feed since we have a rooster and ducks but since they were not laying with a layer pellet I don’t think that’s the problem. I have added oyster shells free choice . They have plenty of water, room, and don’t seem stressed out. They are a mixture of Easter eggers,rhoad island red, few game birds, and barnyard mixes. Everyone looks healthy and active. Any thoughts?

 

[Chookchicken]

As chickens get older they stop laying, I’d say thats what’s happening here. I wouldn’t worry to much considering their age, though if the younger ones stop laying that’s means something else is going on, but it’s not the case here. You did well raising chickens to be that old. I hope this helps, good luck to you and your chickens

 

[HeatherKellyB]

So your 1 year olds aren't laying either? I think they've got a secret nest if that's the case. It may be in their enclosed run. A full year is a long time for a 1 year old to not lay.
@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @Overo Mare @aart

I believe @azygous has hens older than yours that are still producing. Maybe not every single day, but still producing nonetheless

 

[HeatherKellyB]

One other thing, have you checked pelvic spacing? I believe that should tell you if they're laying or not

 

[holderh]

Yes. I only have 1 or 2 that is a year old. The rest range from 3-6 and one of them is 8 or 9. I just thought it was odd to not get any eggs at all. I did clean the coop today and there was none hidden. I’ve checked all of there normal spots and left them in the run in for a good month

 

[holderh]

One other thing, have you checked pelvic spacing? I believe that should tell you if they're laying or not

I haven’t checked that .

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Did you check for a hidden secret nest? Maybe under something?

 

[Ryguy3684]

Do they free range at all? They could be laying elsewhere. If not, I'm going to be following this thread, because I'd love to know an answer to this.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Do they free range at all? They could be laying elsewhere. If not, I'm going to be following this thread, because I'd love to know an answer to this.

They stated that they do, but recently they've locked them up for a month and still haven't seen an egg

 

[HeatherKellyB]

They could have their secret nest outside the coop, in the run. I'd check every inch of the area they have access to when locked up.