What's the longest break from laying you've seen?

[cackilacky]

I have a hen that my neighbor gave me at the end of the summer that hasn't laid since I've had her. She was molting when I got her, and she was broody before that. My neighbor isn't exactly sure how she was laying before she got broody. (He has a lot of chickens.) And now it's winter. Is it possible that she'll start laying again in the spring or am I living in a fantasy world?

Also, my Black Australorp stopped laying after a cold snap a few weeks ago. I'm assuming this is b/c of the winter, as she's only about 8 or 9 months old and has always been a great layer. Is there any way to know that it's the cold/dark and not some other reason that I should be doing something about (i.e. food.) My other chickens are laying fine.

Thanks!

 

[MandyH]

My Cuckoo Marans stopped laying 3 months ago, don't know what their issue is.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mine quit laying for 3 1/2 months when they molted. Thankfully, they are laying again!!!

 

[babyrj03]

My chickens stopped laying for almost 4 months and just recently, three of the four are laying again, but on an irregular basis!!!

 

[rdranch]

We have 9 three year olds that haven't laid since last August. Trying to rehome them now so that means room for new chicks!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Well one of mine got done brooding her chicks SIX months ago and STILL is not laying

I sure wish she would start. I hear sprinkling some ceyane (sp?) pepper on their food will bump start them a bit

I'm going to try it! I need some of her fertile eggs since she is my only hen left of that breed.

 

[cackilacky]

Quote:
Update: There was a blue egg today! It was definitely the freeloader cause all my other chickens lay brown eggs!

 

[speckledhen]

Eight months. Then she died from all the egg material backed up in her oviducts. Have another one who hasn't laid in eight months and will likely be gone to that Great Roost in the Sky soon, too. Other than that, maybe three months or so?

 

[nanawendy]

Not as dramatic as others... My EE's mid- Oct to mid- Feb It was not that cold but very short light cycle. I don't use artificial light.

 

[fiberart57]

I've heard that a protein boost can get them to start again as long as they're done molting and other stuff. A bit of hamburger a few times per week might help.

Mary