If your chickens have suddenly stopped laying eggs, you’re not alone—many chicken keepers encounter this issue. Egg production naturally fluctuates due to several factors, ranging from seasonal changes to diet and the coop environment. Understanding the reasons behind these changes can help you make adjustments to encourage your hens back into their laying routine. This blog explores the egg-laying cycle, factors that affect egg production, seasonal impacts, coop environment, and nutritional needs to help you get your flock laying again.
Understanding the Egg-Laying Cycle
A chicken’s egg-laying cycle is influenced by her breed, age, and environmental conditions. Most hens begin laying eggs around five to six months old and reach peak production in their first year. After this, egg production gradually declines each year by approximately 10-20%. By the age of 3-4 years, many hens slow down significantly or stop laying altogether.
Hens lay eggs based on a roughly 24-26 hour cycle, with the exact timing influenced by factors like daylight exposure and feed quality. Egg production is highest when hens receive about 14-16 hours of daylight, which stimulates their reproductive systems. As daylight decreases or other factors come into play, it can disrupt this cycle, leading to a pause or reduction in egg laying.
1. Seasonal Changes and Daylight Hours
Daylight Reduction in Fall and Winter
One of the most common reasons chickens stop laying in the fall and winter months is reduced daylight. Chickens need around 14-16 hours of daylight to maintain peak egg production. When daylight drops below this level, their reproductive systems slow down, which is why hens lay fewer eggs—or stop laying altogether—as winter approaches.
Solution: To help maintain egg production in winter, consider adding supplemental lighting in the coop. A low-wattage light on a timer can extend daylight hours, encouraging hens to continue laying. Just ensure the light goes off gradually to avoid startling the flock.
Molting Season
Most hens undergo an annual molt in the fall, during which they shed old feathers and grow new ones. Molting requires a lot of energy and nutrients, so hens typically take a break from laying during this period, which can last from 8-16 weeks depending on the bird.
Solution: Increase protein intake during molting by offering protein-rich treats like mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, or scrambled eggs. This can help hens complete their molt faster and resume laying sooner.
2. Nutrition and Diet Quality
Inadequate Layer Feed
Good nutrition is essential for consistent egg production. Layer feed is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of laying hens, including necessary protein, calcium, and vitamins. If hens aren’t getting a balanced layer feed, they may reduce or stop laying.
Solution: Ensure your flock has access to high-quality layer feed with at least 16% protein, as well as calcium supplements like crushed oyster shells for strong eggshells. Avoid overfeeding treats, which can disrupt their nutritional balance and reduce egg production.
Hydration
Chickens need access to clean, fresh water at all times to produce eggs. Even a short period without water can cause hens to stop laying, as water is essential for forming egg whites and maintaining overall health.
Solution: Check waterers daily, especially in hot weather when chickens drink more, and in freezing temperatures when water can quickly ice over. Heated waterers can be a good investment in colder climates.
3. Coop Environment and Stress Factors
Temperature Extremes
Chickens are generally resilient, but extreme temperatures—either too hot or too cold—can stress them and reduce egg production. During hot summer months, chickens often slow down or stop laying to avoid heat stress. Likewise, extreme cold can also disrupt laying.
Solution: Provide shade, ventilation, and plenty of fresh water in summer. In winter, ensure the coop is draft-free but well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup and keep chickens comfortable.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding in the coop can lead to stress, bullying, and a drop in egg production. Chickens need enough space to move, stretch, and access resources comfortably.
Solution: Ensure each chicken has at least 4 square feet inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run. Adding roosting space and multiple nesting boxes (one for every 3-4 hens) can help reduce competition and stress.
Cleanliness and Parasite Management
Dirty or damp coop conditions can lead to parasites like mites and lice, which can drain a chicken’s energy and cause discomfort. Chickens dealing with parasite infestations are likely to reduce or stop laying.
Solution: Regularly clean the coop, replace bedding, and check for parasites under feathers, especially around the vent area. Dust bathing areas with diatomaceous earth can help chickens keep themselves clean and reduce the risk of parasite infestations.
4. Health Issues and Physical Condition
Age and Natural Decline
As chickens age, egg production naturally declines. Most hens lay consistently for the first two years, with production dropping around the age of 3-4. While older hens may still lay occasionally, they won’t be as productive as younger birds.
Solution: Consider rotating your flock by adding a few younger hens each year. This way, you’ll have a steady supply of eggs even as older hens retire from regular laying.
Illness and Injury
Illnesses, injuries, and physical stress can also cause chickens to stop laying. Egg-bound hens (hens with an egg stuck inside) or chickens with respiratory infections may pause egg production while they recover.
Solution: Regular health checks help you catch early signs of illness. Look for symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, wheezing, or a swollen abdomen. Consult a veterinarian experienced in poultry care if you suspect illness.
5. Broodiness
When a hen becomes broody, she stops laying eggs and instead tries to hatch any eggs she finds, even if they’re unfertilized. Broodiness is common in certain breeds like Silkies and Orpingtons, and can last several weeks.
Solution: If you don’t want your hen to stay broody, you can try breaking her broodiness by removing her from the nest and providing a cool, comfortable place to rest. You can also try temporarily blocking access to nesting boxes to discourage her from sitting on eggs.
6. Behavioral and Environmental Stressors
Predator Presence
The presence of predators, even if they don’t gain access to the coop, can stress chickens and cause them to stop laying. Chickens may become agitated if they sense threats like raccoons, foxes, or hawks nearby.
Solution: Secure your coop and run with sturdy fencing, and make sure the coop has no gaps where predators could peek in. Motion-activated lights or predator-proof fencing can help keep predators at bay.
Changes in Routine
Chickens are creatures of habit, and sudden changes in their environment or routine can disrupt egg production. This could include moving to a new coop, adding new flock members, or changing feed.
Solution: Minimize abrupt changes, and introduce any necessary changes gradually to allow chickens to adjust. If you’re adding new chickens, quarantine them first and integrate them slowly to reduce stress on both new and existing birds.
7. Light Cycle and Supplemental Lighting
Chickens need sufficient daylight to stimulate their reproductive systems. When daylight hours decrease, as they do in fall and winter, hens naturally reduce laying. Providing supplemental light in winter can extend laying, but it’s important to use lighting correctly to avoid stress.
Solution: Add a low-wattage light on a timer in the coop to extend daylight to 14-16 hours per day. Turn the light on early in the morning rather than at night to avoid disrupting the flock’s natural sleep pattern.
Conclusion
A drop in egg production is often due to natural, seasonal changes or a reaction to environmental factors. By understanding the egg-laying cycle, adjusting for seasonal changes, providing proper nutrition, and maintaining a clean, stress-free coop, you can help your hens stay healthy and productive. Remember that chickens, like all animals, benefit from attentive care and a consistent environment. With a little patience and adjustments, your hens should soon be back to laying those delicious, fresh eggs.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if my hen is egg-bound?
Signs include a swollen abdomen, reluctance to move, difficulty breathing, and spending prolonged time in the nesting box. Contact a vet if you suspect egg-binding.
2. Is it normal for hens to stop laying in winter?
Yes, reduced daylight in winter often causes hens to slow down or stop laying. Supplemental lighting can help maintain production.
3. How often should I clean the coop?
Weekly spot-cleaning and monthly deep cleaning are recommended to keep the coop sanitary and reduce stress.
4. Can I feed my chickens kitchen scraps?
Yes, but only in moderation and avoid scraps that can be harmful, like onions, chocolate, and green potatoes.
5. How do I know if my hen is molting?
During molt, hens shed old feathers and grow new ones, which may cause them to look patchy. They also typically stop laying during this time.
