Just about every backyard rooster keeper has expert it: someday, your hens are laying reliably, and another, the nesting bins are mysteriously empty. In accordance with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry expert and writer of Storey’s Manual to Increasing Chickens, this egg-laying pause is often not a thriller whatsoever. You will find apparent, normal reasons hens cease laying, and comprehension them will let you support your flock and restore efficiency. Here are Damerow’s major 5 good reasons hens prevent laying—and what you are able to do about them.

1. Molting: A Normal Pause
As Damerow points out, molting is usually a annually celebration in a hen’s lifestyle, normally taking place in late summertime to early fall. During this time, hens reduce and regrow feathers—a system that requires an incredible quantity of energy and protein. Egg production normally stops all through this period, as being the hen's human body focuses entirely on feather regeneration.

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

two. Shortened Daylight Hours
Light publicity plays a significant function in stimulating a hen’s reproductive process. Damerow details out that hens have to have fourteen–16 several hours of daylight for consistent laying. As daylight decreases in the autumn and Wintertime months, so does egg output.

What You are able to do: Think about including a light resource while in the coop which has a timer to simulate purely natural daylight. A low-wattage bulb turning on in the early early morning can securely increase "daylight" and assist winter laying. Avoid sudden lights variations That may anxiety your birds.

three. Poor Nutrition
Nutrition is foundational to egg generation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet lacking in protein, calcium, or vital natural vitamins may result in much less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, while exciting, can dilute the well balanced nourishment furnished by commercial layer feed.

What You Can Do: Make certain your flock has consistent use of large-good quality layer feed, clear drinking water, and calcium dietary supplements like crushed Fun88 Casino oyster shell. Limit treats to not more than ten% of their everyday diet program.

four. Strain and Environmental Variables
Anxiety is a major contributor to decreased egg generation. As outlined by Damerow, stressors can include things like predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Severe temperatures, or perhaps going the coop. Hens are sensitive to alter and may respond by halting egg creation.

What You are able to do: Produce a tranquil, safe surroundings in your birds. Maintain steady routines, deliver ample Area, and deal with sources of pressure which include loud noises or intense flockmates.

five. Age and Health concerns
Damerow reminds us that laying is not a lifelong endeavor. Most hens get started laying all over five–6 months of age, peak at about one–two decades, and then gradually decelerate. Ailment, parasites, and reproductive difficulties might also interfere with laying.

What You Can Do: Keep an eye on your hens’ In general health and fitness. Carry out typical parasite checks, preserve a clean up coop, and talk to a vet in case you discover indications of sickness. More mature hens may still be precious members with the flock even when their laying times are behind them.

Closing Thoughts
As Gail Damerow typically suggests, “Chickens don’t just cease laying for no rationale.” In case your hens take a split, it’s their way of signaling that anything inside their environment or biology has shifted. With a little observation, good care, and several tolerance, you can help information your flock back again to healthy egg manufacturing—or simply enjoy the normal rhythms of their lives.