Just about every yard rooster keeper has skilled it: one day, your hens are laying reliably, and the subsequent, the nesting boxes are mysteriously vacant. In accordance with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry expert and writer of Storey’s Guideline to Increasing Chickens, this egg-laying pause is often not a secret in the slightest degree. You can find distinct, normal good reasons hens stop laying, and knowing them may help you guidance your flock and restore productiveness. Allow me to share Damerow’s prime five reasons hens prevent laying—and what you are able to do about them.
1. Molting: A All-natural Pause
As Damerow points out, molting is really a yearly event in a hen’s lifetime, commonly taking place in late summer to early slide. In the course of this time, hens shed and regrow feathers—a system that requires an amazing quantity of Electrical power and protein. Egg creation normally stops all through this period, given that the hen's system focuses entirely 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. Prevent stressing the flock and Permit character acquire its course. After the molt is comprehensive, egg-laying really should step by step resume.
two. Shortened Daylight Hrs
Mild exposure plays a significant role in stimulating a hen’s reproductive system. Damerow details out that hens need fourteen–16 hours of daylight for dependable laying. As daylight decreases in the autumn and Winter season months, so does egg manufacturing.
What You are able to do: Consider adding a lightweight resource while in the coop using a timer to simulate purely natural daylight. A reduced-wattage bulb turning on inside the early morning can securely increase "daylight" and help Wintertime laying. Avoid unexpected lighting alterations Which may strain your birds.
three. Inadequate Diet
Diet is foundational to egg generation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet plan lacking in protein, calcium, or essential nutritional vitamins may end up in much less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, while entertaining, can dilute the balanced nutrition provided by business layer feed.
What You Can Do: Make certain your flock has continual entry to large-good quality layer feed, clear water, and calcium nutritional supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than ten% of their every day diet program.
four. Strain and Environmental Variables
Tension is a major contributor to diminished egg creation. In keeping with Damerow, stressors can include things like predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Severe temperatures, or even going the coop. Hens are sensitive to vary and can react by halting egg generation.
What You are able to do: Make a serene, safe setting in your birds. Maintain regular routines, provide ample Area, and deal with sources of pressure such as loud noises or intense flockmates.
5. Age and Health problems
Damerow reminds us that laying just isn't a lifelong endeavor. Most hens start laying close to 5–six months of age, peak at about one–2 decades, after which slowly slow down. Sickness, parasites, and reproductive problems may also interfere with laying.
What You are able to do: Control your hens’ All round wellness. Conduct typical parasite checks, retain a clean up coop, and consult a vet in the event you observe signs of disease. Older hens should still be worthwhile customers on the flock regardless of whether their laying times are guiding them.
Closing Thoughts
As Gail Damerow typically states, “Chickens don’t just cease laying for no cause.” Should Fun88 Casino your hens take a break, it’s their way of signaling that something of their ecosystem or biology has shifted. With a certain amount of observation, superior treatment, and several persistence, you might help guide your flock again to healthy egg manufacturing—or just take pleasure in the normal rhythms of their life.