If you keep chickens for their eggs, it can be frustrating when they suddenly stop laying. There are several reasons why this can happen, and thankfully there are also several ways to encourage them to start laying again.
Chickens stop laying eggs for multiple reasons including Molting, Age, Stress, Illness, and Lack of light. To get chickens to start laying eggs again, it’s best to identify the root cause and then resolve it by providing them enough light, feeding them a balanced diet, providing them clean water, resolving stress and illness, and considering adding new hens.
In the article below, we will go into detail on each reason why your chickens may have stopped laying eggs, then move on to resolve the issue.
Why do Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
- Molting: Molting is a natural process where chickens shed their old feathers and grow new ones. This can take several weeks and during this time, their body redirects its energy toward feather growth rather than egg production.
- Age: As chickens age, they naturally produce fewer eggs. Most hens will lay the most eggs in their first year of laying, and then gradually decrease over time.
- Stress: Chickens can become stressed for a variety of reasons such as overcrowding, changes in their environment or diet, or predators. When chickens are stressed, they may stop laying eggs until they feel safe and comfortable again.
- Illness: If a chicken is sick, it may stop laying eggs. Some illnesses that can affect egg production include respiratory infections, parasites, and reproductive issues.
- Lack of Light: Chickens need around 14-16 hours of daylight in order to lay eggs. If they don’t receive enough light, they may stop laying eggs.
How to Get Chickens to Start Laying Eggs Again
Now, let’s address each of the issues above and resolve our egg-laying haitus.
- Assist with protein intake during molting: The first step to getting your chickens to start laying again is to address the root cause of why they stopped laying in the first place. If they’re molting, you’ll have to give them some time to grow their new feathers, but there are ways you can speed up the process. Chickens will usually molt during the fall months in order to put on new feathers for the winter, during this time chickens need more protein for replacing all those feathers. A great way to help your chickens during this time is to switch to a more protein-packed laying pellet such as a 20% protein laying pellet. Also, you can give your chickens plenty of protein snacks as well such as mealworms, which are easily bought at your local feed store or even Walmart. Another way to help your chickens during this time is to let them free range a bit so they can get lots of protein from the bugs they find. Make sure your chickens have enough space so that other chickens don’t start pecking at each other during this process, your chickens need at least 4 square feet to be comfortable during this time.
- Provide Enough Light: If your chickens aren’t receiving enough light, you can provide supplemental lighting in their coop. You can use a timer to ensure that they receive the required 14-16 hours of light each day. I like to get a few extension cords and lamps and hang them from the top of the chicken pen, this will cause your chickens to roost later, and wake up earlier – thus increasing how much they eat and move around. This is especially important during the fall and winter months.
- Feed Them a Balanced Diet: Chickens need a balanced diet in order to lay eggs. Make sure they have access to a high-quality layer feed and provide them with calcium supplements such as crushed oyster shells or eggshells. I highly recommend letting your hens free range if they can, there’s nothing better for them than doing what chickens do – catching bugs.
- Provide Clean Water: Chickens need access to clean water in order to lay eggs. Make sure their water source is clean and free from contaminants. I like to empty my Chickens water at least once a day. During the summer months when it’s much hotter, I try to empty it out about 1-2 o’clock to make sure their water doesn’t get too hot.
- Resolving Stress and Illness: It’s very easy for your chickens to become stressed. Make sure you are doing all the above for your chickens while also keeping predators away from your chickens. Your chickens need to feel safe in order to not be stressed out. Make sure your coop can withstand any predators you may have in your area. Also, it’s a good idea to have a good yard dog to watch over them if they do get out for free ranging. As far as illness goes, many people will tell you if your chicken gets ill to take it to the veterinarian, however if you can’t resolve the chicken’s illness on the farm by following the above-mentioned methods, then I’d consider replacing the chicken. However, if your chicken has become your pet and you absolutely love your chicken, then by all means take it to the veterinarian. I just know that you’ll spend so much money at the vet that you could have replaced your entire chicken population.
- Consider Adding New Hens: This one’s a bit obvious, but if your current hens are getting older and laying fewer eggs, consider adding some new hens to your flock. This will give you a fresh supply of eggs and can also help to stimulate egg production in your older hens. At around 7 years, your chickens could start laying fewer eggs. I’m not big on culling my own chickens, so what I usually do when they get older is go ahead and let them out to free range in my yard to help with the bug population. I do live in an area with predators, but I have a good dog that typically protects the yard so my older chickens can live out their days happily chasing bugs. Usually, I don’t typically have to feed these chickens much since they get most of their needs from free-ranging, in the winter months i will occasionally toss them a handful or two of pellets if they come running while I’m feeding the other chickens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several reasons why chickens may stop laying eggs, but with a little effort and attention, you can get them to start laying again. By addressing the root cause of their egg-laying hiatus, you can ensure that your chickens are healthy and happy and continue to provide you with fresh eggs for years to come.