Not laying this summer

[dianefbarfield]

My 11 chickens laid every day during the fall, winter and spring. Now in summer, only maybe 5 eggs a day! They get high protein layer food, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, meal worms, grit.

 

[dianefbarfield]

My 11 chickens laid like crazy all fall, winter and spring. Now in Summer I only get maybe 5 eggs a day!. They get high protein layer food, meal worms, lots of fresh fruits and veggies. They are 2 years old. It has been very hot and dry here in North Carolina. Comments?

 

[fluffycrow]

What are the temperatures in your area? Sounds like a normal heat-related pause in the laying cycle



5 eggs a day sound pretty good, so I'm assuming all your birds are rather young as well

 

[nuthatched]

Reduce the fruits, veggies and worms. They're likely doing a summer soft molt+ summer heat.

 

[Tonyroo]

At that age it's a turning point for most of your chickens to start slowing down. There taking a break, they don't do well in heat and will cease egg production to focus on maintaining there health through the hot months.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are 2 years old. It has been very hot and dry here in North Carolina. Comments?

A few different things could be going on. Some flocks cut back laying during extreme weather, either hot or cold. You could be seeing some effects of that.

After laying continuously for an extended period of time some hens take a break. That's typically after 13 to 15 months of continuous laying. Commercial operations see enough drop-off that they become uneconomical and have to either replace the flock or molt them so they can recharge their bodies. Our chickens are not the commercial operations so they are not so finely tuned but it is still possible some are taking a break to recharge their bodies. Do you see any feathers floating around as if some might be molting?

Something that happens a lot. Are they hiding a nest on you? A very typical reason you think they are not laying is that they are laying in a hidden nest. They can easily hide a nest if they free range or have a big outdoor area. They can also hide a nest inside the coop that you can't see. You see stories about that a lot on here. One of our regulars just experienced that. She was surprised.

Is something getting the eggs? Many critters that eat eggs leave evidence behind, bits of eggshells or wet spots. Sometimes the chickens will clean up the eggshells but usually they leave some. Snakes, canines, and humans do not leave evidence behind.

A snake will show up (day or night) and eat a few eggs, how many depends on how big the snake is. Then they disappear for a couple of days to digest them and then come back for more. I had a five feet long rat snake eat four eggs from under a broody hen at a time. If it is the same number of eggs every day it is not likely to be a snake but if it varies, well you have a lot of snakes in Norh Carolina.

Most canines like a fox or coyote would probably be more interested in your chickens but does a dog have access to your coop? A dog may leave the chickens alone but eat the eggs.

A human does not necessarily mean a stranger. Often it is someone playing a practical joke on you or someone that has regular access.

So, what can you do. If yours roam during the day try locking them in the coop or coop/run for a couple of days. See if your number of eggs increase. That could mean they can't get to hidden nests or that you locked out an egg eater.

Or mark an egg and leave it down there. If it disappears then something is getting the eggs.

I have no idea what is going on with your flock. Maybe this will give you some ideas. Good luck!

 

[IwuvMyChickens]

My 11 chickens laid every day during the fall, winter and spring. Now in summer, only maybe 5 eggs a day! They get high protein layer food, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, meal worms, grit.

Yeah, alot of chickens do this. If they are not to old their production will pick up once it cools down. But all chickens have a season where their production is lower. Its just something chickens do. So keep taking good care of them and in a few weeks it should be back to normal!