⠀ Why did my hens stop laying?

[Purina]

During this time of year, we often hear from our backyard chicken enthusiasts that they’re hens slow in production or stop laying altogether. Daylight, coop environment, nutrition, molt and hen age can all affect egg production. What’s a flock raiser to do when eggs go missing?

Before you go looking for an egg thief in the coop, read these five reasons why hens stop laying eggs.

Which of these five reasons have you encountered in your flock and how did you manage it?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I feed a higher protein ration year round to optimize production, and to help keep my birds physically fit. It also helps them molt quickly and keeps them from becoming protein deficit. I always recommend an All Flock.

I don't provide extra light in winter, I allow my birds to follow their natural cycle. I do get yearly replacements that start just as my older birds are stopping to fill the gap. A few new birds a year will keep me in eggs year round.

I never crowd my birds, which in my opinion is the biggest stressor to a flock. Every bird can move about without fear, and there's plenty of range to keep birds mentally and physically active.