Two hens stopped laying but act like they are! What's up?

[Hillbilly Texan]

My girls aren't laying as frequently as they once were. I just contributed this to the fact that it's been so hot lately and some of my girls have started to molt. Can't wait to hear the outcome. I hope that it's nothing more than weather or they're in the process of molting...sure would hate to hear they're sick. Good luck!

If it was all my hens, I could more easily attribute to weather, parasites, upcoming molt, etc. What's got me bugged is it's only 2 out of 29 and they were 2 of my best layers. 15 of my hens are 17 months old and the other 14 are only 10 months old.

 

[RoosterThigh]

If it was all my hens, I could more easily attribute to weather, parasites, upcoming molt, etc. What's got me bugged is it's only 2 out of 29 and they were 2 of my best layers. 15 of my hens are 17 months old and the other 14 are only 10 months old.

Hillbilly, maybe it is only the beginning of a parasite epidemic and right now it's only a couple of hens. I called my county extension Friday and she called me back with saying to get a vet involved and do a fecal. She couldn't find anything on it. So my plan is to try to do that Monday. Sometimes my coop is way messier than others. I use sand in my coop so I can see their poop real well. Every once in a while I get a string of of about 3 to 4 inches and it is very flat and messy. I clean the coop every morning without fail. My next step is getting the fecal done. I hope we find the cause.

 

[MROO]

They are not moulting yet. I have 2 hens that this has gone on now for over a month. No broodiness and no molting.

My Nankins went into a hard molt at exactly 17 months, but it took a couple of weeks before they dropped enough feathers . It was more age related, than time of year, as August is hardly a short-daylight/cooler temp time in Maryland.
It is, however, right before the Maryland State Fair, which is very embarrassing to attend when you only have one tail feather between six roosters! My daughter was heartbroken, because her BIS from the County Fair claimed ownership of the last remaining tail feather. It wasn't enough to earn him the trip to Timonium, so we sat that one out as visitors and watched a roo she beat at County take State. I know it's all about what the judge likes, but kids don't always "get" that. We had one disappointed young lady ... but now that our season is over, we have six gorgeous roosters. Go figure!

 

[aart]

Even if I'm not seeing any feather loss? I know molting is controlled by daylight hours but I add artificial light and temps in Texas are still summer like: mid-80's today, 90's yesterday. Everyone I've spoken with in the area is talking about how production is finally up after the drop in temps from the 100's everyday.

They often stop laying well before molting, or they could be doing a very slow and soft molt. The heat could have stopped them and now they want to molt due to shortening days. Do you use any electrolytes when it's really hot? Have had plenty of hens go into box and not lay....or not lay until later in day.

 

[Hillbilly Texan]

They often stop laying well before molting, or they could be doing a very slow and soft molt. The heat could have stopped them and now they want to molt due to shortening days. Do you use any electrolytes when it's really hot? Have had plenty of hens go into box and not lay....or not lay until later in day.

Thanks for all the thought provoking questions. I too have had many go into box and not lay and/or leave and lay later but never for this extended amount of time. However, this upcoming molt will be my first and I didn't expect it would start this soon (hoped it wouldn't), especially since production has picked up with rest of flock. Always use electrolytes with our heat and never vinegar in the summer.