Why have my pullets stopped laying?

[Annecdw]

Hi all,

We have six Ameraucana pullets (about nine months old) that began laying in March. We were consistently averaging 4-5 beautiful blue, green, and pink eggs per day. However, this is our 4th day in a row of NO eggs! I grew up with chickens and can only remember a break in egg production during the cold/dark winter months. We live in the Central Valley of California, so there are only a couple months of that!

They seem to be very happy chickens, no signs of stress that I can tell. Does anyone have insight into why this could be happening? I know four days isn't very long, but they have been so consistent up until a few days ago.

Thank you for your help!

Anne

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

It could be that they are molting - you'll notice lots of feathers around and ragged looking birds soon if that's the case.

They may also have found a nice new hiding spot for their eggs. You might look around in dark corners and under things to see if you can find a hidden stash.

 

[lambchicks]

I didn't think they would molt until around 18 months?
I am having the same problem, but I am thinking it is the hot weather or a egg theif.
Have you tryed oyster shell? Some times that helps

 

[FluffyColor]

Maybe they are molting.

 

[Annecdw]

Thanks for the ideas! We've been getting the sporadic egg over the past several days, but they're still not back to their normal schedule. I wonder if they ever will be? They don't appear to be molting; the weather is really pretty mild, so who knows what is going on!

We put a small amount of DE in their food a few days ago, would that serve the same or similar purpose to oyster shell? We're also going to switch their food for awhile to see if that renders and changes.

Thanks again!