Each individual backyard chicken keeper has expert it: someday, your hens are laying reliably, and the following, the nesting bins are mysteriously vacant. In keeping with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry pro and author of Storey’s Guidebook to Increasing Chickens, this egg-laying pause is frequently not a thriller in the slightest degree. You will find very clear, pure reasons hens quit laying, and comprehension them will let you support your flock and restore efficiency. Listed here are Damerow’s leading five reasons hens stop laying—and what you are able to do about them.

1. Molting: A Organic Pause
As Damerow describes, molting is really a annually celebration in the hen’s daily life, normally occurring in late summer months to early drop. In the course of this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a system that requires a huge amount of Electricity and protein. Egg manufacturing typically stops during this period, because the hen's human body focuses solely on feather regeneration.

What You are able to do: Aid your hens which has a substantial-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Avoid stressing the flock and Allow mother nature consider its study course. As soon as the molt is total, egg-laying really should little by little resume.

2. Shortened Daylight Several hours
Gentle exposure performs an important job in stimulating a hen’s reproductive program. Damerow factors out that hens have to have fourteen–16 hrs of daylight for reliable laying. As daylight decreases in the autumn and Wintertime months, so does egg production.

What You Can Do: Take into account introducing Fun88 Casino a light source inside the coop by using a timer to simulate pure daylight. A small-wattage bulb turning on in the early morning can safely prolong "daylight" and assistance winter laying. Stay clear of sudden lighting changes Which may stress your birds.

three. Weak Nourishment
Nourishment is foundational to egg creation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet regime lacking in protein, calcium, or crucial vitamins can result in fewer or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, though enjoyable, can dilute the balanced nutrition supplied by commercial layer feed.

What You are able to do: Assure your flock has frequent entry to higher-quality layer feed, clean up water, and calcium dietary supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to not more than ten% in their everyday diet plan.

four. Pressure and Environmental Aspects
Stress is A serious contributor to reduced egg output. As outlined by Damerow, stressors can incorporate predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Severe temperatures, or simply transferring the coop. Hens are sensitive to change and can react by halting egg generation.

What You are able to do: Create a relaxed, Safe and sound atmosphere in your birds. Maintain steady routines, present enough space, and address sources of tension including loud noises or aggressive flockmates.

5. Age and Health problems
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 1–2 yrs, and after that slowly decelerate. Health issues, parasites, and reproductive problems could also interfere with laying.

What You are able to do: Regulate your hens’ overall wellness. Carry out common parasite checks, preserve a clean up coop, and check with a vet in the event you observe indications of sickness. Older hens should still be valuable associates with the flock even when their laying days are driving them.

Remaining Views
As Gail Damerow frequently claims, “Chickens don’t just halt laying for no reason.” In case your hens take a break, it’s their means of signaling that a thing of their surroundings or biology has shifted. With a little observation, good care, and many tolerance, you can help information your flock back again to balanced egg production—or just appreciate the natural rhythms in their life.