Stopped laying after molt

[LoribelleF]

Hello my friends
My issue started with my 3 girls when they entered molt this year. I live in SW PA, Chestnut Ridge Mtns. And like most of the country we had a hot dry summer followed by a week of rain. Took care of that only to notice my oldest girl starting her molt. (She got really grumpy too). Egg production from the other 2 slowed down and finally stopped. Then the youngest started her 1st. molt (REALLY GRUMPY) and finally the third.
All 3 of them are done and no eggs. Nada, zip, zilch.
During the summer we took advantage of the non-laying time and expanded their coop in preparation for 3 new birds.
The original 3 now sleep in the coop during the day, one in the box, one outside of it and one will pace. I had to run them out of it yesterday so I could add water and allow the younger ones time in it for eating and just general investigation. They should start laying soon, but I'm not expecting it until spring realistically.

Why are these girls not laying after molt and just sleeping by the egg box? I have a decoy in it.
What can I do?

 

[aart]

Molt is one thing, laying another.
They may not lay again until the days get longer after Solstice.

How old are all the birds, in weeks or months?
When did you add the younger birds?

Not sure why your older girls are hiding in coop and nests.
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

 

[LoribelleF]

Molt is one thing, laying another.
They may not lay again until the days get longer after Solstice.

How old are all the birds, in weeks or months?
When did you add the younger birds?

Not sure why your older girls are hiding in coop and nests.
How big is coop and run, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help here.

Ok
Let's start with the basics. Coop is 4ft. wide and 8ft long and houses 6 birds.
Run is 4ft wide and 16ft. Long plus and additional 8ft. Of covered space under the coop.
Now for the girls.
2 are 3 1/2 yr. old Barred Rock. Normally good layers, I've never had them do this before.
The 3rd is a Americauna and she is just turning 2. This is her first molt and she has positioned herself as the guard of the other 2.
The younger ones were added Nov. 4
1 Blue laced Wyandotte 21 weeks
1 White rock 21 weeks
1 Brown Laced Wyandotte 19 weeks
(They have been together from day 1 in the baby coop)
I'm not expecting any of them to lay until spring.
I just don't know why they hang out inside the coopwhen they ha e plenty of room outside. This has been going on since Americauna started molting in late Sept.

I could see it if it was raining or really cold, storming, something like that. But I have had to run them out because they will stay inside until 1 or 2 in the afternoon.
Suggestions??

 

[aart]

2 are 3 1/2 yr. old Barred Rock. Normally good layers, I've never had them do this before.

You've had them since chicks and they've never molted or stopped laying in fall/winter?

Run is 4ft wide and 16ft.

The 4' wide run is a challenge as it's not quite enough room for them to get by without invading their superiors(the older birds) space.
Pics might help garner some suggestions for hiding places.

The younger ones were added Nov. 4

So just a few days ago.....how did you introduce them??

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[LoribelleF]

You've had them since chicks and they've never molted or stopped laying in fall/winter?

The 4' wide run is a challenge as it's not quite enough room for them to get by without invading their superiors(the older birds) space.
Pics might help garner some suggestions for hiding places.


So just a few days ago.....how did you introduce them??

Here's some tips about.....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Oh I think you misunderstood me. The 2 Rock hens i did not get as chicks. I got one(Sophia) in 2018 following an attack from another flock and the other one (Lucy)following an attack from a hawk in May this year.
The Americauna I've had since July 2019.

After reading your tips I went out and gave them some mealworms and watched how they moved around. I do see where a few hiding places would be handy. They have discovered the T-pee, the logs and we have a climber for them that needs completed. I also have an additional 4 ft. attached run going up next to this one. That will give them more room for moving around.
For water stations there are 3..1 in the coop and 2 outside. The outside ones are in each section (covered and uncovered) of the run. There are 2 food stations. 1 in the run and 1 in the coop.
What do you suggest for a hiding spot? I was thinking pine branches leaned up against the outer wall or something else.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Why are these girls not laying after molt and just sleeping by the egg box? I have a decoy in it.
What can I do?

Laying doesn't return until daylight does in my experience.. days starting getting longer again December 21st.. they're just still finishing their time out from reproduction.

Block the boxes off when there are no layers.. kick their arses out every day.. sleeping should never be allowed in a lay box unless broody.. They are bored and relaxed hanging out where they are comfortable is what it sounds like to me.. and also just in sub groups still... Just my snap thought.. add some enrichment.. Not wanting birds hanging out int he coop is my number 1 reason not to keep one in there... after rodent evasion.

Things hanging to jump at like corn on the cob or head of cabbage.. Maybe let the out for some free range when possible. Some outer perches to just roost on during the daytime.. like the pine branches you mention.. lower than the coop roost. I use over turned chairs, buckets, boxes, plastic totes, or even small dog houses at times as visual disruption in the runs that the birds enjoy hanging out, in, on, and around. These are just a few ideas.. in summer you can freeze meal worms, corn, peas, etc in ice cubs or tubs as cooling enrichment. Hopefully you will find and come up with lot's more ideas and input..

 

[LoribelleF]

Laying doesn't return until daylight does in my experience.. days starting getting longer again December 21st.. they're just still finishing their time out from reproduction.

Block the boxes off when there are no layers.. kick their arses out every day.. sleeping should never be allowed in a lay box unless broody.. They are bored and relaxed hanging out where they are comfortable is what it sounds like to me.. and also just in sub groups still... Just my snap thought.. add some enrichment.. Not wanting birds hanging out int he coop is my number 1 reason not to keep one in there... after rodent evasion.

Things hanging to jump at like corn on the cob or head of cabbage.. Maybe let the out for some free range when possible. Some outer perches to just roost on during the daytime.. like the pine branches you mention.. lower than the coop roost. I use over turned chairs, buckets, boxes, plastic totes, or even small dog houses at times as visual disruption in the runs that the birds enjoy hanging out, in, on, and around. These are just a few ideas.. in summer you can freeze meal worms, corn, peas, etc in ice cubs or tubs as cooling enrichment. Hopefully you will find and come up with lot's more ideas and input..

Thanks. Didn't have this problem in the summer. Time to get creative and find something for them to do during the day. Good gracious, they are as bad as kids,lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

Clutter = hiding spaces. Might need to get creative with seeing what fits in a narrow run, but here's some ideas to get you started: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[LoribelleF]

Clutter = hiding spaces. Might need to get creative with seeing what fits in a narrow run, but here's some ideas to get you started: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

Thank you
Great ideas. I live on the side of a mtn
So my yard is a fall-away . Being creative with this run is getting hard because bigger stuff tends to fall over, lol. I'm going out today to see what I can come up with. Thanks for the suggestions.