Stopped laying!

[SunshineGal]

About 2 weeks ago my Blue Lace Red Wyandotte stopped laying eggs. The other 2 haven't started laying eggs yet. I read that they stop when the weather turns cool. Is that true?

 

[Animals45]

Yes it is true that they lay poor in the winter. How old is your blue laced Wyandotte?

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Very true indeed for the most part. My older hens haven't laid in 2 months... younger hens more regular but occasionally sporatic.
There are steps you can take to promote egg laying during winter months but I personally have never done this.

 

[FlyWheel]

Depends on the breed. Two of my Easter Eggers, my Black Australorp and Rhode Island Red will lay through the winter, but again, not as profusely as in the warmer months.

They also stop laying when the are molting. Have you noticed an abnormal amount of feathers laying about?

 

[SouthofEden]

I'm pretty sure the amount of light has a lot to do with it. They need a certain amount of daylight to lay well. When I lived up North (NY) I used to put a light on a timer in the coop to give some extra light. This seemed to help in egg production. Here in the South we have longer days anyway so this isn't necessary. Egg production seems in fact better now in the winter. It seems the extreme heat of summer makes them slow down. At least that seemed to be the case this past summer. Chicken owning is very different down here (Florida) than what I was used to up there. I had to learn a whole new ball game but I'm finally getting the knack of it.

 

[SunshineGal]

Yes it is true that they lay poor in the winter. How old is your blue laced Wyandotte?

They are young - born last June - so 7 months old

 

[SunshineGal]

Depends on the breed. Two of my Easter Eggers, my Black Australorp and Rhode Island Red will lay through the winter, but again, not as profusely as in the warmer months.

They also stop laying when the are molting. Have you noticed an abnormal amount of feathers laying about?

No, in fact, there's less feathers laying around. They are still young -7 months old.

 

[SunshineGal]

I'm pretty sure the amount of light has a lot to do with it. They need a certain amount of daylight to lay well. When I lived up North (NY) I used to put a light on a timer in the coop to give some extra light. This seemed to help in egg production. Here in the South we have longer days anyway so this isn't necessary. Egg production seems in fact better now in the winter. It seems the extreme heat of summer makes them slow down. At least that seemed to be the case this past summer. Chicken owning is very different down here (Florida) than what I was used to up there. I had to learn a whole new ball game but I'm finally getting the knack of it.

I've tried leaving a light on and I can hear them making a certain squawk when they are laying eggs but when I go check, no eggs. They are still young which could be part of the reason - 7 months old.

 

[WindingRoad]

I've tried leaving a light on and I can hear them making a certain squawk when they are laying eggs but when I go check, no eggs. They are still young which could be part of the reason - 7 months old.

My SLW laid at about 22 weeks give or take. They lay small eggs. 42-52 grams. But lay most days. MY BO and ISAB have laid most every day this winter. Depends on the bird and the breed.

 

[SouthofEden]

I've tried leaving a light on and I can hear them making a certain squawk when they are laying eggs but when I go check, no eggs. They are still young which could be part of the reason - 7 months old.

That does seem young. My girls are 18 mos to 24 mos old.