No eggs since July 2016

[ChickenMama79]

Do you live in an area where the days are a lot shorter and colder? If egg production doesn't pick back up, you may consider finding a way to put a light in their coop.
Hopefully it is just because your little roos are gone. If it is, they should get over them soon. Those must have been some charming little roosters, for the hens to miss them this much!

Good luck and keep us posted!

~ClickCluckMoo~

No, actually, I'm in the Dallas area of Texas. It's been pretty warm, too, but starting to get down in the 70s and 80s finally. Also, the roosters never even paid attention to the others, but were really close to our youngest EE. Now I am a little concerned. Hmmm…

 

[junebuggena]

It's not the temperature, but the shorter days. Egg production is directly affected by the amount of daylight. Any change to the flock can stop production.

 

[ClickCluckMoo]

Yes, it sounds like you might need a light in your coop. Consider it if the girls don't get over whatever eggless spell this is that they are going through. Hopefully they get through it soon!
You are lucky to be in an area where it doesn't get too cold. It can be hard to keep chickens in frigid conditions. When the temperature here drops, my girls don't lay hardly as much because a lot of their energy goes into staying warm and functional through the winter. We always have a heat lamp in the coop during the fall, winter, and spring because of my hens' pickiness!

Let us know how it goes!

~ClickCluckMoo~

 

[tyntravis]

I read your letter and could have written it myself. I too have 5 two and a half year old layers, 2 NH Reds, a Black sexlink, an auracana, and a barred rock. I was getting virtually an egg a day until July and then they started molting. They have all their feathers now and look real good but still no eggs. They've had a light in their coop for the past 10 days and still nothing yet. I don't know what to make of this. I'm in New Hampshire, nights are only recently cold (30 or so) and we did have a long hot drought this summer.

 

[ChickenMama79]

I read your letter and could have written it myself. I too have 5  two and a half year old layers, 2 NH Reds, a Black sexlink, an auracana, and a barred rock. I was getting virtually an egg a day until July and then they started molting. They have all their feathers now and look real good but still no eggs. They've had a light in their coop for the past 10 days and still nothing yet. I don't know what to make of this. I'm in New Hampshire, nights are only recently cold (30 or so) and we did have a long hot drought this summer.

Really! Interesting!! Let me know if the light starts working. There isn't a safe way to put one in our coop, unfortunately. We don't have any external outlets except near the garage, which isn't anywhere near the coop.

 

[ClickCluckMoo]

This case is really stumping me! Let me know if anything works for you and I will post if I get any idea of what may be going on.

Good luck!

~ClickCluckMoo~

 

[tyntravis]

Funny you should ask!! We are now back in eggs, at least two of the 5 are laying, the others are apparently still on sabbatical.

 

[ChickenMama79]

That's great! We are still egg-free, but I'm guessing we will be until the days get longer. Does this mean that we should expect the girls to lay eggs for more years than normal? Since we aren't using lights to help them be productive during their off-seasons?

 

[junebuggena]

That's great! We are still egg-free, but I'm guessing we will be until the days get longer. Does this mean that we should expect the girls to lay eggs for more years than normal? Since we aren't using lights to help them be productive during their off-seasons?

Production will drop as they age, however, allowing them to take a break does help them stay healthy and productive for longer.

 

[ClickCluckMoo]

I agree with junebuggena. It sounds like your girls just haven't finished their "recharge" and will be back to laying once they've taken a break. Maybe they are taking an extra long break from egg-laying as a way to strike for bigger feed rations! Just kidding

, but I'll bet they get back to do their job once the days are a little longer, like you said.

@tyntravis That's wonderful! I guess your girls finally refreshed their systems and are back on track! Congratulations!

~ClickCluckMoo~