Every backyard chicken keeper has seasoned it: sooner or later, your hens are laying reliably, and the next, the nesting packing containers are mysteriously empty. In line with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry skilled and creator of Storey’s Tutorial to Raising Chickens, this egg-laying pause is frequently not a secret in any respect. There are very clear, purely natural causes hens prevent laying, and comprehension them can help you help your flock and restore productiveness. Listed here are Damerow’s best five motives hens prevent laying—and what you are able to do about them.
one. Molting: A Natural Pause
As Damerow explains, molting is really a annually party in a hen’s life, usually happening in late summer season to early fall. Throughout this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a process that needs an incredible level of Power and protein. Egg production often stops all through this period, given that the hen's entire body focuses solely on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Assistance your hens that has a higher-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and Enable nature consider its system. When the molt is finish, egg-laying really should step by step resume.
two. Shortened Daylight Several hours
Light-weight publicity plays a vital part in stimulating a hen’s reproductive process. Damerow factors out that hens want fourteen–sixteen hours of daylight for dependable laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and Wintertime months, so does egg output.
What You Can Do: Take into account including a lightweight supply within the coop with a timer to simulate pure daylight. A lower-wattage bulb turning on within the early early morning can safely extend "daylight" and aid Wintertime laying. Stay clear of sudden lights alterations Which may anxiety your birds.
3. Weak Nutrition
Nourishment is foundational to egg creation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet regime lacking in protein, calcium, or necessary vitamins may end up in less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, when fun, can dilute the balanced nutrition provided by commercial layer feed.
What You Can Do: Make sure your flock has consistent usage of higher-excellent layer feed, clean water, and calcium health supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than 10% of their day-to-day food plan.
four. Tension and Environmental Variables
Pressure is A significant contributor to reduced egg manufacturing. In accordance with Damerow, stressors can contain predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Intense temperatures, or even transferring the coop. Hens are sensitive to vary and might react by halting egg output.
What You Can Do: Create a quiet, Safe and sound setting for the birds. Maintain dependable routines, give enough Place, and deal with resources of stress for example loud noises or intense flockmates.
five. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying isn't really a lifelong endeavor. Most hens start out laying about 5–6 months of age, peak at about one–two a long time, after which you can slowly decelerate. Health issues, parasites, and reproductive problems could also interfere with laying.
What You are able to do: Control your hens’ Over-all health. Conduct typical parasite checks, sustain a clear coop, and talk to a vet if you notice indications of disease. Older hens should still be useful members with the flock whether or not their laying times are guiding them.
Last Feelings
As Gail Damerow usually suggests, “Chickens don’t just halt laying for no explanation.” In case your hens have a crack, it’s their means of signaling that some thing Fun88 Casino of their setting or biology has shifted. With a certain amount of observation, excellent treatment, and some persistence, you can help guidebook your flock back again to wholesome egg creation—or just appreciate the organic rhythms of their lives.