Egg Laying – Why a Chicken Won’t Lay Eggs
It is always concerning when our hens suddenly stop laying. The first sign of a problem for your girls is when they stop laying eggs. When chickens are lacking something they require egg production is the first thing their bodies shut down in order to make up for what it is lacking. Most of the time it’s an easy fix, is the coop clean? Are you feeding the proper food? Sometimes it could more complicated, are my babies sick or are the molting? Let’s take a look at the common issues and see what it takes to get the girls happy again.
Age:
Chickens have a lifespan of 7 years are in their prime for the first year or two of them laying eggs, after that production rapidly declines until the 4th or 5th year when they usually stop laying altogether. It usually best to replace the laying hen with a new one after their 3rd year of laying eggs.
Habitat:
Chickens are creatures of habit, sometimes the slightest change can throw them off. Moving your hens from one location to another, adding new features or space can stress out your girls. They will not start laying again until they feel relaxed and are comfortable again. Even a dirty pen or coop could throw them off, unsanitary conditions are the best way to for the birds to contract unwanted diseases, especially if the space is too small.
Food / Water:
A dehydrated chicken cannot produce eggs make sure there is always water available for your hens. Using the nipple drinkers help conserve water and keep the coop clean. To produce an egg your girls need a special diet of calcium and proteins. This type of feed is called “layer feed” and comes in many different varieties from different feed or pet stores. Chickens will overeat so monitor the feed based on the number of chickens.
Health:
Did the chicken go broody? A broody hen will not lay until she is done hatching her eggs. The girls won’t lay when they molt either. Molting is when the chickens are losing their feather due to changes in the weather. It’s the same as when a dog shed its fur, except the chicken sheds its feathers. Mites put a lot of strain on a hen’s body, she is miserable and won’t lay for you. A good sign your chicken is ill or not feeling well is her stance. If she is hunched over instead of standing up and perky she is not feeling well and has problems she probably needs help with.
Stress:
If a chicken is stressed she won’t lay, she needs to feel comfortable. Too many roosters can easily cause stress on your girls. Is there a predator around, is she fearful? Keep your girls happy safe and fed, and she provides you with many eggs to come. Some birds are better layers than others, like the Orpington Chicken that was bread for maximum laying capacity.
The Author:
James K.
