Why Would A Chicken Stop Laying Eggs?

Factors that Affect Production

Age: Young hens (called pullets) don’t reach reproductive maturity until they are around 20 weeks of age. Chicken breeds bred for high production may start laying as early as 18 weeks of age. Heritage chicken breeds and large chicken breeds will take longer to reach reproductive maturity and may not start laying until after 24 weeks of age. Sometimes it may take as long as 6 months before you get that first egg!

It may take a little while for a young pullet’s reproductive system to get started, so she may skip a day or two of laying as she starts off. Her eggs will also be small but gradually become bigger as she starts laying more regularly. She will then lay regularly for the next two to three years of her life. Heritage chicken breeds are known to not lay as many eggs in a year as hybrid production breeds, but they have a longer productive lifespan that allows them to lay well for up to five to six years of age.

As a hen ages, her reproductive system slows down as a response to the stress of aging and regular laying. Her body starts releasing less of the hormones that trigger the reproductive cycle. Older hens also need more daylight in order to trigger laying and they are more susceptible to diseases and ailments that can stop egg production. When a chicken stops laying completely depends on the breed and individual hen. Some older hens only lay seasonally, such as during the spring and summer, while others call it quits completely.

Breed: A chicken’s breed is another factor in how well a hen lays. Hybrid chicken breeds developed for commercial egg production start laying at an early age and lay prolifically for two to three years. Then they significantly drop in production after three years of age. Heritage chicken breeds won’t start laying until they are older, but they will lay consistently for up to five to six years before slowly decreasing in production.

Season: A hen’s laying cycle is often directly impacted by the seasons. Where you live may dictate what seasons affect your laying hens the most. In the wild, spring and summer are the seasons that naturally trigger the reproductive cycle for birds. While selective breeding has changed a hen’s reproductive cycle to some extent, she is still dictated by her natural environment.

Spring is naturally a time of high egg production. The lengthening daylight hours and warming weather triggers a hen’s reproductive hormones to kick in. The longer days and warmer weather continue to encourage reproduction right through the summer months. Although, extreme heat can cause hens to experience heat stress, which may decrease or halt laying.

If one of your hens stops laying during the spring or summer but is still sitting in the nesting boxes, then you may have a broody hen on your hands. Spring and summer are not only a time of high production, but those seasons also trigger broodiness in hens who want to be mothers. Broodiness causes a hen to stop laying as she focuses on incubating her eggs and raising chicks.

As fall hits, the shortening daylight hours and cooler weather triggers the fall molt. A laying hen who is over 1 year of age will molt annually in the fall. Molting is the process that every bird goes through which involves losing old feathers and re-growing new feathers. Molting requires lots of energy, so hens will stop laying eggs since producing eggs and re-growing feathers at the same time demands too much energy.

Following on the heels of fall, the colder and shorter days of winter don’t trigger a hen’s reproductive cycle to restart after the molt. If a hen’s pituitary gland is not sensing enough light within a 24-hour period, she won’t lay eggs during the winter. Young pullets need less light in order to lay, so sometimes young pullets will lay through the winter despite the shorter daylight hours. However, cold weather can lead to cold stress, which will cause a hen to stop laying as she uses energy to stay warm instead of making eggs.

Health: A hen’s health plays a crucial role in how well she lays. Health issues like infections, diseases, parasites, or injury cause stress to a hen’s body. Fighting a disease or healing a wound requires energy that is often redirected from egg laying. Stress and lack of energy will cause a hen to stop laying when she is ill or injured. Some ailments cause malnutrition, tumors, or organ failure that would also halt production.

A hen needs to be in good health and have a proper diet in order to lay eggs.

Dirty Coop, Fewer Eggs? The Impact of Environment on Egg-Laying

A common concern that many chicken keepers have is the impact that a dirty coop can have on laying hens. The dangers of a dirty coop are serious and can affect the health, productivity, and well-being of your flock. Here are some dangers of a dirty chicken coop:

• Pests: Droppings attract flies and spilled feed will attract rodents, both of which can carry disease and parasites.
• Ammonia: Ammonia gets released into the air when droppings build up in the coop and can burn a hen’s lungs, causing respiratory damage.
• Disease: Disease-causing microbes thrive in dirty, moist environments which can lead to harmful bacteria, parasites, and protozoa building up in the coop.
• Stress: A dirty coop can sometimes be a result of overcrowding, which also stresses out chickens since they need their personal space.

All these factors can impact egg laying since any stressors in a hen’s environment may inhibit the natural egg laying cycle. When a hen is stressed due to overcrowding, disease, or difficulty of breathing, she won’t be directing energy to the process of egg laying.

Keeping your chicken coop clean and well-maintained will help your hens stay healthy and stress-free. A clean coop will prevent exposing your hens to harmful bacteria and parasites that thrive in dirty environments. Make sure the coop has plenty of space, nesting boxes, and roosts for the number of hens you are raising. A clean and spacious coop will prevent stress and disease from causing your hens to stop laying.

Here are some ways you can keep a clean coop to encourage laying:

• Remove droppings daily– Installing droppings boards underneath the roosts can help you easily remove nightly droppings on a daily basis.
• Use proper litter– Use absorbent litter that composts with any droppings that are not collected by the droppings boards. Hemp bedding, wood shavings and straw are popular chicken coop litters.
• Remove wet or soiled litter– Keeping the coop free of moisture and manure build-up will prevent harmful bacteria and ammonia from causing health issues.
• Clean and disinfect the coop regularly– A yearly or as-needed thorough coop cleaning can help make sure the coop stays clean and fresh
• Proper ventilation– Proper ventilation ensures good air flow in the coop, which will help old, stale air be replaced with fresh, oxygen-laden air.
• Clean nests– Hens look for private, dark, and safe places to lay their eggs. Make the coop has the proper number of nesting boxes and clean nesting litter for your hens.

Chickens Not Laying Eggs For Months! The Causes

FAQ

Why would my chickens suddenly stop laying eggs?

Improper nutrition can occasionally cause hens to stop laying. Inadequate levels of energy, protein or calcium can cause a production decrease.Jul 12, 2022

How do I get my chickens to lay eggs again?

What would cause a chicken to never lay eggs?

Parasites – lice, mites, fleas, internal worms – can cause bodily stress that impacts their laying. Stress can also be brought on by bullying, too much handling, injury, noisy children and pets in the garden, or poor environment. Making sure the hens have a space where they can stay happy and healthy is vital.

How long is it normal for chickens to stop laying eggs?

Hens may live in backyard flocks for 6-8 years, and most flocks will produce eggs for 3-4 years. The level of egg production, egg size, and shell quality decrease each year. Most commercial layers are kept for 2-3 years as their egg production decreases after this time.

Why do chickens stop laying eggs suddenly?

Chickens may suddenly stop laying eggs due to several underlying issues. Some of the most common reasons include age, poor nutrition, lack of light, stress, parasites, annual molt, salpingitis, predator attack, hot weather, and overbreeding.

What is a common cause of chickens stopping egg production?

Some of the most common reasons why chickens suddenly stop laying eggs include poor nutrition, lack of light, stress, parasites, annual molt, salpingitis, predator attack, hot weather, and overbreeding. This abrupt change often signals underlying issues that may need immediate attention.

Why do hens stop laying?

“That’s when hens go through their annual molt — they shed their old feathers and grow a fresh set to better keep them warm during winter. “All hens lay fewer eggs during their annual molt. Some stop laying completely. The reason the molt affects laying is that nutrients needed to produce eggs are instead channeled into producing plumage.”

What causes delayed egg laying in chickens?

Delayed egg laying can be caused by many different factors in chicken. Some of the more common causes include: 1. Stress: Chickens are very sensitive animals and can be easily stressed out by changes in their environment or routine. This can cause them to stop laying eggs for a period of time.

What causes a hen to stop producing eggs?

3. Stress Factors Chickens can be sensitive creatures, and various stressors can lead to a halt in egg production. Stressors can include changes in the environment, handling, or flock dynamics. Identifying Stressors Environmental Changes: Changes like a new coop, introduction of new flock members, or changes in feed can stress hens.

Why are my hens laying less eggs?

If the conditions become too hot for your hens then they will start to lay less. This is a physiological response to environmental stress. The ideal laying temperature is 65-75°F. At 85-90°F egg size and quality start to fall. Above 90°F they may stop laying eggs altogether to reduce stress on their bodies.