Not eating or laying

[SHeld]

My ladies have recently stopped laying, eating and drinking. I’m thinking because of the hot weather. Their run is mostly shaded and they do not appear heat stressed.
I have not changed feed or water containers but recently added an open large bowl for fresh water. They are drinking from that. I have four hens.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

My ladies have recently stopped laying, eating and drinking. I’m thinking because of the hot weather. Their run is mostly shaded and they do not appear heat stressed.
I have not changed feed or water containers but recently added an open large bowl for fresh water. They are drinking from that. I have four hens.

Heat is so brutal on chickens. Is there plenty of shade for them? Is their water in the shade? Have you tried adding ice to their water? You can put up a cheap fan inside or outside the coop to help ciruclate air. If you're in an area with low humidity, a swamp cooler is a good option as well. They will eat less and decrease laying during periods of high heat, but you want to ensure they are still drinking plenty. You could give them small amounts of chilled watermelon to help regulate their body temp while providing a source of fluids and electrolytes.

 

[GRB73]

I'd be more concerned with them not drinking. When it is very hot, I like to give the girls cool water several times per day. If I'm not going to be home, I put small frozen water bottles in the waterer to keep it cool for as long as possible. I also feed them cold watermelon during the hotesr days.

 

[Katie386]

It’s so hot where I am right now I feel bad for my chickens. I have two fans in their coop and bowls of water all over my yard. I also have a large back porch that is very cool underneath and that’s where they spend most of the day. If they are panting a lot like a dog then they are hot but you said it didn’t look like they are heat stressed. How many do you have and is it possible they are going broody? A broody hen will stop laying eggs and sit in her nest for a long time even without eggs.

 

[GC-Raptor]

recently added an open large bowl for fresh water. They are drinking from that. I have four hens.

It's good they're drinking.
My hens slow down eating and egg production during the summer. Less feed intake equals less eggs.
As soon as I notice less eggs per week I cut the treats in half, (Scratch Grains here), and give them a wet mash made with their regular feed and cold water. . During a heatwave I use water from the fridge, and place in a shady spot.
For your 4 hens use a half cup of dry feed and cover with a 1/4" to a 1/2 inch of water and serve immediately. It works best with Crumbles, but pellets work too, just wait till pellets start absorbing water before serving. I serve early afternoon, but you could serve a couple of times daily if your girls enjoy it. Dump out any leftovers at end of day.

Also keep the regular feeder clean with fresh feed.
I don't fill the feeder in hot weather. I add only enough feed for 3 to 4 days and only add when nearly empty.
I also thoroughly clean and dry at least monthly or more often in damp or humid conditions.
Also the large bowl that you have, filled with ice cold water that they can stand in is good. I have a large pan. . GC