Some of flock stopped laying

[flappityflippers]

We have 5 chickens (all different breeds) that are all roughly 2 - 2 1/2 years old. One of them stopped laying properly a while ago and was having the odd day of looking under the weather and laid a couple of just yolks and since then hasn't laid. I am fairly certain she has stopped laying for good. My issue is that 2 of the other hens are now also not laying.

The issue started when we got a new feeder. We had to get a rat-proof one and on a day that we were out the feeder got stuck and so the they couldn't access the food for a whole day (have since fixed this issue so it can't happen again). After this the whole flock stopped laying. I assumed it was due to the stress and sure enough 3 hens started laying reliably again after about a week. However now one of those hens has stopped again in the last couple of weeks and the 4th never restarted.

We tried add a calcium supplement but other than that there have been no other changes. They are completely happy otherwise. My question is whether there is anything else I should look out for? Is it just the age of the hens? It seems strange to me that they have gone from laying 5/6 eggs a week to none and the other 2 chickens are stilling laying reliably.

They are kept within a fence area and we would 100% find the eggs if they were laying outside the coop.

 

[aart]

If you live in the northern hemisphere this is the time they stop laying to get ready to molt.

 

[flappityflippers]

Thanks for your reply! I guess it possible, it just seems early to me (much earlier than last year) and it was also very obvious from their behaviour that they were molting previously. My plan was to wait for them to molt and hope they start laying again afterwards but want to check there wasn't something I was missing.

 

[aart]

I guess it possible, it just seems early to me (much earlier than last year) and it was also very obvious from their behaviour that they were molting previously.

A lot of folks have reported it's early this year.
IME older the birds the earlier they may go thru this change and eggs often stop well before feathers start dropping.

 

[TillyPeeps]

Thanks for your reply! I guess it possible, it just seems early to me (much earlier than last year) and it was also very obvious from their behaviour that they were molting previously. My plan was to wait for them to molt and hope they start laying again afterwards but want to check there wasn't something I was missing.

When chickens are stressed, they could start molting anytime. If it's not fall, it could be a small molting. Unfortunately, at this time of the year, the major fall molting could follow the small molting so you don't have eggs from them for half year. I have two chicken that went brooding are molting now, and don't expect them to lay until next spring.

 

[igorsMistress]

My girls are molting already and it’s a bit early compared to years past. Days are getting shorter also, the Fall equinox is just about a month away now. Keep oyster shell available and an eye on the girl that laid the funky eggs for any signs of problems. Sometimes taking a wait and see approach is your best option.

 

[flappityflippers]

Thanks everyone. Really good to know. As long as they stay happy I will wait it out and see what happens. At least 2 of them are still laying to keep me going with eggs!