Wheather? Stress? Why aren't they laying?

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I have 11 mature hens. My five pullets from last summer layed pretty well all winter long. Of the six older hens (about 3 years old) only the two Easter Eggers layed at all during the winter, laying about 4 eggs a week between the two of them from October till April. In April the 2 older Wellsummers and 2 Barred Plymouth Rocks started laying too until a major snow storm on Mother's Day followed by 3 days of sub-freezing weather. All the pullets stopped laying and I got the occasional Welsummer, BPR or EE egg during the following week after the temperatures started to go back up (were' in the high 60s during the day and high 30s at night). Then (I don't know if this is related, but suspect it might be) I had a racoon break into the meat chicken's nightime shelter (maybe 20 feet from my hen's coop) and kill three of my little roosters last Saturday. I've hardly had an egg all week.

So,should I assume that the weather, combined with the stress of having a predator prowling around has caused my hens to stop laying or could there be something else I'm missing? If it is weather or stress, is there something I can/should do to get them back into a laying frame of mind? How long before they start up again?

Oh, wish I could edit the thread name to say "weather" rather than "wheather". Oh well.

 

[conifermom]

I'm Curious what replies you get. I have had a very similar Situation with my flock, we have had the exact same weather patterns (are you a western state?) and a sudden decrease in egg laying. We haven't had any predators harassing our flock but we do have some new pullets that are being integrated into our flock.

 

[Messipaw]

Stress for sure can interrupt their egg laying. Anything can. A heavy rain, a loud Crack of Thunder,in my cacase the gardener and his leaf blower. Most of all a predator. Instinctively they know and try to protect their eggs in hopes of a safe baby chickens coming along. If they feel nervous or unsafe they won't lay. You just need to let them get comfortable and trusting in their environment again.
This might be a coincidence but it always works for me. When ever I want to kick start the laying process after a lull (like bring broody) I give my hens cayenneppepper. I sprinkle it on their oyster shells or on any treat. Without fail I have received eggs the next day. So crazy.
Good luck.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I'm Curious what replies you get. I have had a very similar Situation with my flock, we have had the exact same weather patterns (are you a western state?) and a sudden decrease in egg laying. We haven't had any predators harassing our flock but we do have some new pullets that are being integrated into our flock.

Yes to the western state question. Colorado at about 8,000ft of altitude.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

.... When ever I want to kick start the laying process after a lull (like bring broody) I give my hens cayenneppepper. I sprinkle it on their oyster shells or on any treat. Without fail I have received eggs the next day. So crazy.
Good luck.

I have that in my spice rack and will try it tomorrow and report back. I give them about 2 cups of fermented layer feed every morning mixed with bits and pieces of last night's salads or vegetable peels, which they gobble down enthusiastically. How much cayenne pepper would you suggest adding for 11 hens?

 

[Messipaw]

I would do a nice coating. My hens will eat it out of a cup. Good luck. Post back with your progress.

 

[mossy oaks]

We are having the same problem. The 200 hens went from 160 eggs a day in april to about 30 now. Slowly decreased over the last month. We have had weather fluctuations here Iin CA so it might be that. Thought it might be mites but theres no evidence in their coop or on them although a few appear to be nibbling by their tail feathers. Feeding good balanced diet, fodder in the morning and they roam during the day, and have their layer pellets at night. Dont appear to be molting - there's no feathers anywhere. Will pressure wash their coop and are going to try the cayenne pepper today.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I gave the hens 1 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper this morning in their breakfast mash. Nothing yet, but I know it may be tomorrow before I see any results. My Anatolian Shepherd Aslan was running circles around the various chicken enclosures this morning sniffing up a storm, so I'm guessing that darn raccoon was back, even if it wasn't able to get to any of the chickens. I may have to set up some sort of a trap.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Another 1 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper in this morning's mash as well. I had three eggs today, one each from a Wellsummer, EE and BR (all my older hens). Still nothing from the 5 young hens who were so reliable all winter. I added some cayenne pepper to their evening treat as well. Fingers crossed.

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Two eggs today, one from one of the elder Welsummers. The second may have been from one of the young birds since I saw my SLW in the nesting box earlier. Better than no eggs I guess, but not much from a total of 11 hens. Oh, 2 tsp of cayenne in today's breakfast mash.