Each and every yard hen keeper has experienced it: one day, your hens are laying reliably, and another, the nesting boxes are mysteriously vacant. According to Gail Damerow, renowned poultry specialist and author of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens, this egg-laying pause is commonly not a thriller in any way. You will discover very clear, natural motives hens prevent laying, and comprehension them can help you help your flock and restore efficiency. Listed below are Damerow’s prime 5 good reasons hens prevent laying—and what you are able to do about them.
one. Molting: A Purely natural Pause
As Damerow clarifies, molting is usually a annually party inside of a hen’s everyday living, typically occurring in late summer season to early fall. Throughout this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a system that requires an amazing degree of Electricity and protein. Egg creation typically stops throughout this era, since the hen's physique focuses fully on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Help your hens with a large-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Keep away from stressing the flock and Permit character just take its system. When the molt is comprehensive, egg-laying really should gradually resume.
2. Shortened Daylight Hrs
Mild exposure plays a vital role in stimulating a hen’s reproductive method. Damerow points out that hens require fourteen–sixteen hrs of daylight for regular laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and Wintertime months, so does egg production.
What You are able to do: Think about adding a lightweight supply within the coop having a timer to simulate normal daylight. A lower-wattage bulb turning on in the early morning can properly extend "daylight" and guidance Wintertime laying. Prevent unexpected lighting alterations Which may stress your birds.
3. Very poor Diet
Diet is foundational to egg output. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet program lacking in protein, calcium, or necessary natural vitamins may end up in less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, when pleasurable, can dilute the balanced nutrition provided Fun88 Casino by commercial layer feed.
What You Can Do: Make sure your flock has consistent access to high-top quality layer feed, clear water, and calcium dietary supplements like crushed oyster shell. Limit treats to not more than ten% in their everyday diet program.
four. Worry and Environmental Variables
Anxiety is A serious contributor to lowered egg generation. As outlined by Damerow, stressors can consist of predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, extreme temperatures, or maybe shifting the coop. Hens are delicate to vary and may respond by halting egg manufacturing.
What You are able to do: Develop a calm, Risk-free environment to your birds. Maintain regular routines, provide sufficient House, and deal with resources of worry including loud noises or aggressive flockmates.
5. Age and Health problems
Damerow reminds us that laying just isn't a lifelong endeavor. Most hens get started laying all over 5–6 months of age, peak at about 1–2 several years, and then progressively decelerate. Health issues, parasites, and reproductive problems could also interfere with laying.
What You are able to do: Regulate your hens’ General wellbeing. Carry out normal parasite checks, sustain a clean coop, and consult with a vet in case you see signs of health issues. Older hens should be useful users on the flock regardless of whether their laying times are powering them.
Closing Feelings
As Gail Damerow normally states, “Chickens don’t just prevent laying for no purpose.” Should your hens have a crack, it’s their strategy for signaling that one thing inside their setting or biology has shifted. With some observation, very good care, and some tolerance, you can help manual your flock back to wholesome egg production—or just appreciate the natural rhythms in their lives.