Sapphire gem quit laying

[NDchickenlady]

I have a sapphire gem that was a year old this summer she was routinely laying eggs. Now she hasn’t laid since September 1. She lost a few feather so I thought maybe she went through molting. Any thoughts? She sits on the nesting box but no eggs.

 

[sourland]

Is there any possibility that she has gone broody ?

 

[chickens really]

Taking a break with shorter daylight hours?

 

[NDchickenlady]

Taking a break with shorter daylight hours?

Could be. I just added a light in coop to see if that helps.

Is there any possibility that she has gone broody ?

I don’t think so. She’s doesn’t stay in the nest for long.

 

[chickens really]

Breaks are good and helps the reproductive organs when resting. I get one egg from a young Pullet. In spring my ladies will begin laying again.

 

[Acre4Me]

My guess is a molt along with shortening light hours. With adding a light, it will still take her a few weeks to begin laying. There is a cascade of hormones and changes that has to occur, triggered by the pineal gland getting enough light, for a long enough period to stimulate the egg laying process.

I use light in the fall/winter to help to continue to get eggs. My older birds are molting, or just finishing their molt. Some April 29 hatched haven’t begun to lay, but most have. I have heritage breeds, so they don’t lay every day anyway.

 

[aart]

I just added a light in coop to see if that helps.

Make sure it's on a timer so they only get ~14 hours a day at the same time each day.

 

[NDchickenlady]

Make sure it's on a timer so they only get ~14 hours a day at the same time each day.

Yes. It is!

 

[aart]

Yes. It is!

Good!
But remember, it's not like flipping a switch on the egg machine!

With adding a light, it will still take her a few weeks to begin laying.

 

[NDchickenlady]

Good!
But remember, it's not like flipping a switch on the egg machine!

First time chicken mama here! This site is awesome for help!