Silkies Stopped Laying

[Elenor13]

I have two silkies who were laying when I got them and kept laying up until two or three weeks ago. Nothing has changed in their routine in the last couple weeks. They are not with any other hens and they are eating and drinking. They do spend a lot of time in the nest box. (Could they be broody?) But they are not laying eggs. They were a little young when they started laying, could that be why? Please help, I am very confused.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Being Silkies, I would vote they are probably working on being broody. Mine have been deciding to go broody the last couple of weeks. They will stop laying eggs when they are actually broody.

 

[Elenor13]

So they will try to be broody even if there are no eggs in the nest box?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Yes, many broodies will happily brood nothing at all, or anything remotely egg shaped, I've had them try to brood rocks, pieces of wood, spray can lids, fallen fruit (apples) etc...
There is a nice thread on using broodies to hatch eggs if you are interested in that https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...en-hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread/0_20
And there are several nice articles in the Learning Center on Broodys https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks
If you don't want to have them hatch eggs, you might consider "breaking" them of being broody, Silkies are often really persistent brooders and will go for months before giving up. They won't lay eggs while broody and it really isn't good for their health to do it indefinitely. I like the broody breaker box mentioned in the article, I just use a wire dog crate.

 

[Elenor13]

Thank you! This has been really helpful!