They've Stopped...

[WyoChickMom]

My son has 22 chickens, they are roughly 6 months old and are a variety of breeds, isa browns. black sexlinks, rhode island reds and one polish that showed up and never lift. So the issue is we didn't get nesting boxes put up right away so the chicken were laying they're eggs in the coop, around 12-16 a day. This past weekend we finally got the boxes up and now we're only getting about 6 eggs a day. Why would they all of sudden stop laying? Advice would be appreciated, i really don't know much about chickens but this behavior seemed a bit extreme to me.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You put something new in the coop. Either it stressed them enough to halt laying or they went somewhere else to lay. They will adjust after a week or so.

 

[SueT]

X2 on post #2.
I would make sure you haven't missed a hidden nest.
Then put some of their fresh eggs into the nest boxes until they all lay there. Real eggs work better than fake, but you can use fake eggs.
Note, they will slow down laying as the days get shorter.

 

[1 acre willows]

There's a couple people in southern MT that are already dealing with a molt.... don't know if that is affecting you but apparently it's coming in my neck of the woods

 

[aart]

You put something new in the coop. Either it stressed them enough to halt laying or they went somewhere else to lay. They will adjust after a week or so.

This^^^
Chickens don't like change..and their reactions can be rather extreme.

Definitely add fake eggs or golf balls to nests,
they work just as well as real ones... and won't break and make a mess.

If he is free ranging his birds, he may have to confine them until the start using the nests.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[WyoChickMom]

Thank everyone. I went and got a couple fake eggs so hopefully that will work. He did have more eggs at last nights gather so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it was just the stress of something new in the coop.

 

[1 acre willows]

This^^^
Chickens don't like change..and their reactions can be rather extreme.

Definitely add fake eggs or golf balls to nests,
they work just as well as real ones... and won't break and make a mess.

If he is free ranging his birds, he may have to confine them until the start using the nests.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

I have around 50 birds 5 of which are roosters, trying to find a home for 2 story for another time. 2 of my four orpingtons, if given half a chance they will try and lay somewhere out in the yard. Ive had to "rehome" them twice this summer, they are only 6 months old, and have just started leaving them locked up in the run till I come home at lunch.....