Each backyard chicken keeper has professional it: sooner or later, your hens are laying reliably, and the next, the nesting bins are mysteriously vacant. As outlined by Gail Damerow, renowned poultry pro and author of Storey’s Tutorial to Boosting Chickens, this egg-laying pause is usually not a secret in any respect. There are crystal clear, all-natural motives hens stop laying, and comprehension them can help you assist your flock and restore efficiency. Listed here are Damerow’s prime five explanations hens stop laying—and what you are able to do about them.

one. Molting: A Purely natural Pause
As Damerow clarifies, molting is really a yearly occasion in a very hen’s life, usually occurring in late summer to early tumble. During this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a process that needs a huge level of Vitality and protein. Egg production often stops during this period, as the hen's system focuses fully on feather regeneration.

What You are able to do: Guidance your hens using a high-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Prevent stressing the flock and let character take its system. Once the molt is comprehensive, egg-laying ought to little by little resume.

two. Shortened Daylight Several hours
Light exposure plays an important purpose in stimulating a hen’s reproductive system. Damerow points out that hens require 14–16 hours of daylight for steady laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and winter months, so does egg creation.

What You Can Do: Contemplate including a light resource in the coop having a timer to simulate all-natural daylight. A reduced-wattage bulb turning on within the early early morning can safely and securely lengthen "daylight" and help winter laying. Avoid unexpected lights variations That may stress your birds.

three. Bad Nourishment
Nutrition is foundational to egg output. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet regime missing in protein, calcium, or vital natural vitamins may end up in much less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, whilst enjoyment, can dilute the balanced diet supplied by professional layer feed.

What You Can Do: Guarantee your flock has constant entry to high-quality layer feed, clean h2o, and calcium health supplements like crushed oyster shell. Limit treats to not more than 10% in their each day eating plan.

4. Worry and Environmental Components
Anxiety is a major contributor to decreased egg output. Based on Damerow, stressors can include predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Serious temperatures, and even going the coop. Hens are sensitive to vary and can respond by halting egg production.

What You Can Do: Make a relaxed, Harmless setting for your birds. Keep consistent routines, give enough Area, and address sources of pressure which include loud noises or intense flockmates.

5. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying isn't really a lifelong endeavor. Most hens start out laying about 5–six months of age, peak at about one–two years, then step by step slow down. Sickness, parasites, and reproductive troubles may interfere with laying.

What You are able to do: Keep an eye on your hens’ All round overall health. Perform regular parasite checks, retain a cleanse coop, and talk to a vet in case you observe signs of illness. Fun88 Casino More mature hens may still be important customers from the flock although their laying days are at the rear of them.

Ultimate Views
As Gail Damerow generally suggests, “Chickens don’t just halt laying for no cause.” If your hens take a split, it’s their way of signaling that a little something in their setting or biology has shifted. With a bit of observation, very good treatment, plus some tolerance, you might help guidebook your flock back again to healthier egg generation—or simply recognize the normal rhythms of their lives.