Just about every backyard hen keeper has experienced it: sooner or later, your hens are laying reliably, and the subsequent, the nesting bins are mysteriously vacant. As outlined by Gail Damerow, renowned poultry qualified and creator of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens, this egg-laying pause is commonly not a secret in the slightest degree. There are distinct, all-natural factors hens quit laying, and comprehending them will help you assistance your flock and restore efficiency. Here are Damerow’s major 5 causes hens stop laying—and what you are able to do about them.

1. Molting: A All-natural Pause
As Damerow explains, molting is usually a yearly event inside of a hen’s lifetime, generally happening in late summer months to early slide. Throughout this time, hens lose and regrow feathers—a course of action that requires an amazing level of energy and protein. Egg generation frequently stops all through this era, given that the hen's body focuses entirely on feather regeneration.

What You Can Do: Assist your hens which has a high-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Steer clear of stressing the flock and Allow character just take its study course. When the molt is total, egg-laying need to gradually resume.

2. Shortened Daylight Hours
Light publicity performs a vital position in stimulating a hen’s reproductive procedure. Damerow points out that hens want 14–sixteen several hours of daylight for consistent laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and winter months, so does egg creation.

What You Can Do: Take into consideration adding a light source during the coop by using a timer to simulate organic daylight. A minimal-wattage bulb turning on in the early morning can properly lengthen "daylight" and aid Winter season laying. Stay clear of sudden lighting variations that might strain your birds.

three. Lousy Diet
Diet is foundational to egg creation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet regime lacking in protein, calcium, or crucial nutritional vitamins may lead to less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, although entertaining, can dilute the balanced nourishment supplied by industrial layer feed.

What You are able to do: Be certain your flock has frequent use of large-top Fun88 Casino quality layer feed, clean h2o, and calcium health supplements like crushed oyster shell. Limit treats to not more than 10% in their day-to-day diet program.

four. Strain and Environmental Aspects
Stress is A significant contributor to decreased egg output. As outlined by Damerow, stressors can contain predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, extreme temperatures, or maybe shifting the coop. Hens are delicate to change and might respond by halting egg creation.

What You are able to do: Produce a quiet, Protected environment on your birds. Keep dependable routines, provide ample Place, and address sources of strain like loud noises or aggressive flockmates.

five. Age and Health Issues
Damerow reminds us that laying isn't really a lifelong endeavor. Most hens start laying close to 5–6 months of age, peak at about 1–two years, after which 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’ All round wellbeing. Perform regular parasite checks, preserve a clear coop, and talk to a vet should you notice signs of illness. Older hens may still be beneficial associates of your flock whether or not their laying times are driving them.

Ultimate Views
As Gail Damerow usually says, “Chickens don’t just cease laying for no rationale.” If your hens take a split, it’s their technique for signaling that some thing within their setting or biology has shifted. With a bit of observation, excellent care, and a few patience, you can help guideline your flock back again to healthful egg manufacturing—or just take pleasure in the purely natural rhythms in their lives.