Silkie Sleeping All Day - No Eggs

[Plantiebee]

Hey guys,
I have 4 silkie hens and they started laying eggs in February (they'll be a year old in July). Everything was going just fine, loads of eggs, then a few weeks ago the eggs stopped. Now they sit in their little hutch all day, everyday. I've checked their eyes and skin - dont see any signs of illness or parasite. They dont come out to eat or drink but will do so if I take them out myself. They'll move about and eat if I take them out to roam in the garden but after an hour they'll just all lay down together and wait to be let back into their enclosure.
I am stumped! These are my first ever chickens and I am seriously worried about them. Has anyone seem this kind of behavior before?
Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[sourland]

It sounds to me as if they have all gone broody. Wanting to incubate eggs and hatch chicks.

 

[BlueBaby]

I agree with @sourland as that is what it sound's like to me also.

 

[Plantiebee]

Hmm okay, if that is indeed the case what are you recommendations?

 

[Matilda Belle]

I agree that they are broody. Some people try to snap their chickens out of being broody, but I'm not sure how to do that. I either give them a couple fertile eggs to hatch, or let nature take it's course. They'll eventually snap out of it.

 

[Stacyoung13]

If you want to break them, you put them in a wire cage with food and water. Make sure the bottom is wire, helps cool them down and break the broodiness. I just let mine go naturally, I just collect the eggs every day if I don’t want more babies.

 

[Plantiebee]

Thanks for your reply guys! We live in the suburbs so no roosters allowed - they aren't sitting on any eggs as they haven't produced any in a month!
I heard something about dunking them in cold water lol, but it's gotten really cold here the past week and don't feel like doing that at the moment...
I will let nature take its course then - I hope they snap out of it soon!!

 

[Matilda Belle]

It may take awhile...sometimes a couple months for my silkies.