Each yard hen keeper has skilled it: sooner or later, your hens are laying reliably, and the subsequent, the nesting boxes are mysteriously empty. In keeping with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry pro and author of Storey’s Information to Boosting Chickens, this egg-laying pause is often not a mystery in the least. You will find crystal clear, all-natural causes hens cease laying, and comprehension them can assist you assist your flock and restore productivity. Listed below are Damerow’s leading 5 explanations hens halt laying—and what you can do about them.
one. Molting: A Pure Pause
As Damerow describes, molting is actually a yearly occasion in a hen’s everyday living, generally occurring in late summer months to early slide. For the duration of this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a course of action that requires an amazing volume of Power and protein. Egg generation usually stops all through this period, because the hen's body focuses fully on feather regeneration.
What You Can Do: Help your hens by using a superior-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and let character take its training course. As soon as the molt is total, egg-laying really should steadily resume.
2. Shortened Daylight Hrs
Light-weight publicity plays a vital position in stimulating a hen’s reproductive procedure. Damerow points out that hens need to have fourteen–sixteen several hours of daylight for consistent laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and Winter season months, so does egg creation.
What You are Fun88 Casino able to do: Consider adding a light supply in the coop using a timer to simulate normal daylight. A very low-wattage bulb turning on during the early early morning can properly increase "daylight" and support Wintertime laying. Avoid sudden lights variations Which may worry your birds.
three. Weak Nourishment
Diet is foundational to egg generation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a eating plan lacking in protein, calcium, or crucial vitamins can lead to fewer or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, though enjoyment, can dilute the well balanced diet provided by professional layer feed.
What You are able to do: Make sure your flock has continual entry to superior-quality layer feed, clean water, and calcium nutritional supplements like crushed oyster shell. Limit treats to not more than 10% of their everyday eating plan.
4. Tension and Environmental Elements
Tension is An important contributor to lowered egg manufacturing. Based on Damerow, stressors can involve predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Serious temperatures, and even going the coop. Hens are sensitive to vary and may respond by halting egg manufacturing.
What You are able to do: Create a tranquil, Secure ecosystem to your birds. Manage steady routines, deliver ample Place, and address sources of strain like loud noises or aggressive flockmates.
five. Age and Health concerns
Damerow reminds us that laying isn't really a lifelong endeavor. Most hens begin laying close to five–6 months of age, peak at about one–two a long time, after which you can progressively decelerate. Health issues, parasites, and reproductive challenges could also interfere with laying.
What You are able to do: Control your hens’ All round wellness. Carry out common parasite checks, manage a clean coop, and seek advice from a vet in case you see indications of health issues. More mature hens should be important users of the flock even when their laying days are behind them.
Final Thoughts
As Gail Damerow frequently says, “Chickens don’t just stop laying for no purpose.” In case your hens take a crack, it’s their strategy for signaling that a thing inside their natural environment or biology has shifted. With a little observation, fantastic care, and a few patience, you can help guideline your flock again to healthier egg creation—or simply respect the pure rhythms of their life.