Every single yard chicken keeper has knowledgeable it: in the future, your hens are laying reliably, and another, the nesting packing containers are mysteriously vacant. Based on Gail Damerow, renowned poultry specialist and writer of Storey’s Information to Increasing Chickens, this egg-laying pause is usually not a mystery in any respect. You'll find obvious, normal motives hens end laying, and comprehension them can assist you assist your flock and restore productivity. Listed here are Damerow’s leading 5 motives hens cease laying—and what you can do about them.
one. Molting: A Normal Pause
As Damerow describes, molting is a annually occasion in a hen’s everyday living, commonly taking place in late summer to early tumble. For the duration of this time, hens drop and regrow feathers—a process that needs a tremendous number of Vitality and protein. Egg production generally stops throughout this era, because the hen's overall body focuses completely on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Support your hens by using a high-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and let nature acquire its course. After the molt is entire, egg-laying ought to little by little resume.
two. Shortened Daylight Hours
Mild publicity performs a significant role in stimulating a hen’s reproductive technique. Damerow details out that hens have to have 14–16 hours of daylight for regular laying. As daylight decreases in the autumn and Wintertime months, so does egg output.
What You Can Do: Contemplate including a light-weight supply from the coop which has a timer to simulate natural daylight. A reduced-wattage bulb turning on inside the early morning can securely lengthen "daylight" and help Winter season laying. Keep away from sudden lighting adjustments that might tension your birds.
3. Poor Nutrition
Nourishment is foundational to egg output. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a food plan missing in protein, calcium, or vital nutritional vitamins may end up in fewer or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, while fun, can dilute the well balanced diet provided by professional layer feed.
What You are able to do: Guarantee your flock has continual access to high-high-quality layer feed, cleanse water, and calcium supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than ten% of their daily eating plan.
4. Stress and Environmental Components
Anxiety is a major contributor to diminished egg manufacturing. According Fun88 Casino to Damerow, stressors can include things like predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Severe temperatures, or even transferring the coop. Hens are sensitive to alter and will react by halting egg generation.
What You Can Do: Develop a calm, Risk-free atmosphere in your birds. Preserve reliable routines, offer sufficient House, and deal with sources of worry including loud noises or intense flockmates.
five. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying isn't really a lifelong endeavor. Most hens start off laying about 5–6 months of age, peak at about one–two decades, after which little by little decelerate. Illness, parasites, and reproductive concerns might also interfere with laying.
What You are able to do: Regulate your hens’ General wellness. Carry out common parasite checks, manage a clean coop, and seek the advice of a vet for those who observe indications of sickness. More mature hens should be important members on the flock although their laying times are guiding them.
Final Feelings
As Gail Damerow often states, “Chickens don’t just cease laying for no explanation.” When your hens take a break, it’s their way of signaling that something of their environment or biology has shifted. With some observation, very good care, and several endurance, you might help guidebook your flock back to healthful egg manufacturing—or simply appreciate the all-natural rhythms of their life.