Every single backyard rooster keeper has professional it: one day, your hens are laying reliably, and the next, the nesting containers are mysteriously empty. In line with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry pro and creator of Storey’s Guideline to Boosting Chickens, this egg-laying pause is usually not a thriller in the slightest degree. You will discover clear, natural reasons hens stop laying, and understanding them can help you support your flock and restore efficiency. Here i will discuss Damerow’s top rated five good reasons hens end laying—and what you can do about them.

one. Molting: A Pure Pause
As Damerow points out, molting is actually a yearly celebration in the hen’s existence, usually developing in late summertime to early drop. All through this time, hens eliminate and regrow feathers—a method that needs an incredible amount of Electricity and protein. Egg manufacturing normally stops for the duration of this era, because the hen's body focuses totally on feather regeneration.

What You are able to do: Help your hens with a substantial-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Avoid stressing the flock and Permit mother nature just take its program. When the molt is total, egg-laying should really steadily resume.

2. Shortened Daylight Hrs
Gentle publicity performs an important purpose in stimulating a hen’s reproductive method. Damerow points out that hens want 14–16 hours of daylight for steady laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and Winter season months, so does egg output.

What You are able to do: Take into consideration introducing a lightweight supply from the coop which has a timer to simulate purely natural daylight. A very low-wattage bulb turning on while in the early morning can safely extend "daylight" and assistance Wintertime laying. Keep away from sudden lighting improvements That may strain your birds.

three. Very poor Diet
Diet is foundational to egg manufacturing. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet program lacking in protein, calcium, or important vitamins can result in much less 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: Guarantee 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 not more than Fun88 Casino 10% of their daily diet.

four. Strain and Environmental Components
Pressure is A significant contributor to decreased egg production. According to Damerow, stressors can include predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, extreme temperatures, or even going the coop. Hens are delicate to change and might respond by halting egg creation.

What You are able to do: Create a tranquil, Secure environment on your birds. Maintain regular routines, deliver ample Place, and address sources of pressure like loud noises or aggressive flockmates.

5. Age and Medical issues
Damerow reminds us that laying is just not a lifelong endeavor. Most hens get started laying all-around five–six months of age, peak at about one–2 yrs, and then steadily slow down. Sickness, parasites, and reproductive concerns could also interfere with laying.

What You Can Do: Keep an eye on your hens’ In general wellbeing. Conduct frequent parasite checks, manage a cleanse coop, and seek advice from a vet should you notice signs of illness. Older hens should be useful users on the flock even when their laying days are at the rear of them.

Last Feelings
As Gail Damerow usually suggests, “Chickens don’t just quit laying for no motive.” In case your hens take a split, it’s their way of signaling that one thing inside their ecosystem or biology has shifted. With a little bit of observation, fantastic treatment, plus some patience, you will help tutorial your flock again to balanced egg production—or just appreciate the natural rhythms in their life.