Every single yard hen keeper has knowledgeable it: in the future, your hens are laying reliably, and another, the nesting packing containers are mysteriously vacant. In keeping with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry professional and author of Storey’s Manual to Raising Chickens, this egg-laying pause is often not a mystery at all. You will find distinct, all-natural factors hens quit laying, and comprehending them will help you support your flock and restore efficiency. Here i will discuss Damerow’s major 5 causes hens quit laying—and what you are able to do about them.
1. Molting: A All-natural Pause
As Damerow explains, molting is often a yearly event inside of a hen’s lifetime, normally occurring in late summertime to early drop. During this time, hens eliminate and regrow feathers—a method that needs an incredible amount of Electricity and protein. Egg manufacturing normally stops throughout this era, as the hen's overall body focuses completely on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Support your hens by using a high-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and let nature acquire its program. When the molt is entire, egg-laying must step by step resume.
2. Shortened Daylight Hours
Mild publicity performs a significant function in stimulating a hen’s reproductive technique. Damerow details out that hens need 14–16 hours of daylight for regular laying. As daylight decreases in the autumn and Wintertime months, so does egg output.
What You Can Do: Think about including a light-weight supply from the coop which has a timer to simulate natural daylight. A reduced-wattage bulb turning on while in the early morning can securely lengthen "daylight" and assist Winter season laying. Prevent unexpected lighting adjustments That may anxiety your birds.
3. Bad Nutrition
Nutrition is foundational to egg production. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet missing in protein, calcium, or necessary nutritional vitamins may end up in less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, whilst enjoyable, can dilute the well balanced nourishment supplied by commercial layer feed.
What You are able to do: Assure your flock has consistent entry to higher-quality layer feed, clean up drinking water, and calcium dietary supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than ten% in their every day diet.
four. Tension and Environmental Factors
Strain is A significant contributor to lessened egg creation. Based on Damerow, stressors can include predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Excessive temperatures, or perhaps going the coop. Hens are sensitive to alter and can react by halting egg output.
What You Can Do: Develop a calm, Safe and sound atmosphere for your personal birds. Sustain dependable routines, supply enough space, and deal with resources of stress for example loud noises or intense flockmates.
five. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying just isn't a lifelong endeavor. Most hens begin laying close to five–six months of age, peak Fun88 Casino 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’ General overall health. Carry out frequent parasite checks, maintain a thoroughly clean coop, and seek advice from a vet when you see indications of health issues. More mature hens should be precious users of your flock although their laying times are at the rear of them.
Remaining Views
As Gail Damerow generally claims, “Chickens don’t just halt laying for no motive.” If the hens have a break, it’s their method of signaling that some thing in their environment or biology has shifted. With a bit of observation, superior treatment, and several persistence, you might help guide your flock again to healthier egg creation—or simply respect the pure rhythms of their life.