Why have hens quit laying eggs?

[tia]

They're two to three years old. There are twenty of them. They eat laying pellets, leftovers, produce and we get about two eggs a day out of twenty-five all together. They have oyster shells. Is there a way to tell if they can still lay eggs?(I'm asking for a friend) Thanks!!!

 

[Sylie]

They're two to three years old. There are twenty of them. They eat laying pellets, leftovers, produce and we get about two eggs a day out of twenty-five all together. They have oyster shells. Is there a way to tell if they can still lay eggs?(I'm asking for a friend) Thanks!!!

Hello!!
I'm glad that you asked that question.
There could be several reasons why chickens stop laying, could they be molting? Maybe they are taking a break, they will do that, mine did back in January but mine are 4 and 5 yrs old so it's not uncommon at their age to slow down or take breaks. How is the weather? If it's as up and down as it is here in Iowa, they might be confused and just saying "the heck with it!"
How long has it been since they layed consistently? Have any of them been sick in the last few months, even 1 sick chicken can cause issues in a sensitive flock. How about stress, anything new going on in their lives? Have they been switched to a different coop or run? Has a predator been around recently that you know of? Has their food been changed at all? Even if it's something dumb like a new brand of feed, can tick them off.
If it's been more than a week, I would look into it deeper but less than a week, I'd just wait and see if they start again soon. Usually they don't take more than a week off. I do have to agree that an entire flock of 20 stopped laying.
Did they all stop at the same time or a few days apart or are there too many for you to notice (production/collection amounts dwindled over time?)

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you more advice but for now, think about stressors in their lives, if you think something is stressing them, see what you can do to fix it, maybe they'll start again.
Good luck!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Are you sure that some egg sucking varmint is not helping itself to your eggs?

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Are you sure that some egg sucking varmint is not helping itself to your eggs?

Yes. A predator could be stealing them. Is there any way a predator could be stealing eggs? Can you give us a pic of the coop to see if it’s possible a animal is getting in?

 

[Stayc]

I say a preditor is helping themselves or you have to find where they are laying their eggs. My girls got mad if all the eggs were removed. I bought ceramic eggs. They always stay in the nest now. If u want them 2 stop laying in odd places, just remove all the eggs from the nest u find. Best of luck

 

[aart]

Is there a way to tell if they can still lay eggs?(

Yes, there is:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

If they pass the pelvic bones test, and they are free range birds, time to lock em up:
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[RWise]

What bread are they? I have read some hybrids stop laying after 2-3 years.

 

[tia]

I will have to ask them all of these questions. Thanks.