Two months no eggs

[Bbbbeavers]

Hello!

I have had chickens for about a year now. They started laying in March and had a very productive year, each laying an egg about 5 days a week. In August, I had a predator get half of my birds, so in September I added four silky pullets to my flock. One of the silkies was a roo so he had to go to a new home. I lost one of the other silkies a few weeks back – Friday she was lethargic and Saturday she had passed. The rest of the flock seems the best they have been since they were incorporated. So in summary: I have two year-old Rhode Island Reds, one year-old Black Australorpe, and two ~4 month old silkies.

Here’s the thing: I haven’t gotten an egg from the older girls since the end of September. Is this because of the shorter, cooler days? They started molting in mid-October – is this adding to the egg-drought? Could the new birds have brought in an illness that could cause this?

I was expecting a drop off in production when the weather started cooling down, but no eggs in two months seems extreme. Is this normal? Will I have to wait until February for fresh eggs?!?

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most birds over a year will quit laying eggs completely between August and December to molt. Most will resume between December and March. It's normal for them to take a few months off.

 

[sunflour]

Hello!

I have had chickens for about a year now. They started laying in March and had a very productive year, each laying an egg about 5 days a week. In August, I had a predator get half of my birds, so in September I added four silky pullets to my flock. One of the silkies was a roo so he had to go to a new home. I lost one of the other silkies a few weeks back – Friday she was lethargic and Saturday she had passed. The rest of the flock seems the best they have been since they were incorporated. So in summary: I have two year-old Rhode Island Reds, one year-old Black Australorpe, and two ~4 month old silkies.

Here’s the thing: I haven’t gotten an egg from the older girls since the end of September. Is this because of the shorter, cooler days? They started molting in mid-October – is this adding to the egg-drought? Could the new birds have brought in an illness that could cause this?

I was expecting a drop off in production when the weather started cooling down, but no eggs in two months seems extreme. Is this normal? Will I have to wait until February for fresh eggs?!?

Thanks!

Most likely they will begin laying once they are totally over their molts.

 

[diamondsilkies]

Silkies can take a while to lay, since they're more of an ornamental breed, so I wouldn't be concerned about them. As for the older birds, they could be taking a break for molt, as a couple other people suggested. However, I would check them for lice or mites, just in case, as they can prevent laying. If you don't find any bugs, then I wouldn't be concerned; they'll start laying again soon.

 

[Bbbbeavers]

Thank you for easing my fears, everyone! I checked for mites about a month ago but will check again just in case.

Thanks again