Why aren't my chickens laying?

[dhnoq]

Help, I have 3 white leghorns who are about a year and a half old, I've been getting an egg everyday from all three of them since they turned around 7 months old. Late last winter I got two reds and they started laying at about 7 months also. So for a few months I got between 3 and 5 eggs every day. For the past 3 weeks I have not got one egg. My white leghorns seem to be molting so I know that could do it but why aren't the red laying? I have checked for snakes and for them eating their own eggs and that doesn't seem to be the case. Any ideas?

 

[TNBlacktails]

Has there been a drastict change in weather? Here in TN weve recently had some real bad storms pash through ,and all the people I know that have chickens none are currently laying soo.... that may just be your problem if youve had a change in weather .

 

[Happy Chooks]

The reds are probably molting as well - it just may not be as severe. Sometimes it can be hard to tell they are molting.

 

[yinzerchick]

Are there any sure fire ways to tell if they're molting? I have a couple I suspect might be, but then again they just might be scraggly looking. I thought when they molt, it was suppose to be real obvious?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Some hens go through a light molt. It can be as minor as some tail feathers missing. I have LOTS of hens molting right now - some have bald heads, some have bald butts, some have missing tail feathers, some have bare chests.

 

[dhnoq]

We have had alot of rain but it's not a change because that has been going on all summer here. They weren't laying on really bad days but they would on the nice days in between.

 

[dhnoq]

I am sure the white leghorns are molting because there are white feathers everywhere and they are the right age. But the reds are only about 8 or 9 months.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Are there any sure fire ways to tell if they're molting? I have a couple I suspect might be, but then again they just might be scraggly looking. I thought when they molt, it was suppose to be real obvious?

The exact same thing happen to my leghorn last year. She stopped laying and at first I just noticed a few feathers here and there around the coop. Eventually all her tail feathers came out and she looked really silly. She started laying again no problems after.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I've had a few 9 month old girls molt - not a heavy molt, but enough to cause them to quit laying.