Each yard hen keeper has skilled it: sooner or later, your hens are laying reliably, and the following, the nesting bins are mysteriously empty. In keeping with Gail Damerow, renowned poultry expert and creator of Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens, this egg-laying pause is commonly not a secret in the least. There are actually clear, natural explanations hens prevent laying, and being familiar with them will let you aid your flock and restore efficiency. Allow me to share Damerow’s prime five reasons hens prevent laying—and what you can do about them.
1. Molting: A Purely natural Pause
As Damerow points out, molting is actually a annually celebration in the hen’s existence, typically developing in late summer season to early fall. All through this time, hens get rid of and regrow feathers—a method that needs an incredible degree of Strength and protein. Egg manufacturing generally stops in the course of this era, because the hen's system focuses totally on feather regeneration.
What You are able to do: Assistance your hens that has a large-protein feed or snacks like mealworms and scrambled eggs. Stay clear of stressing the flock and Allow character take its system. As soon as the molt is total, egg-laying really should steadily resume.
2. Shortened Daylight Hrs
Light-weight publicity plays a vital position in stimulating a hen’s reproductive procedure. Damerow points out that hens want fourteen–sixteen several hours of daylight for consistent laying. As daylight decreases in the fall and winter months, so does egg creation.
What You are able to do: Take into consideration adding a light source inside the coop by using a timer to simulate pure daylight. A small-wattage bulb turning on within the early morning can safely extend "daylight" and assistance winter laying. Steer clear of sudden lighting changes that might stress your birds.
three. Weak Nourishment
Diet is foundational to egg generation. Damerow warns that feeding chickens a diet regime lacking in protein, calcium, or crucial vitamins can lead to much less or no eggs. Treats and scratch grains, though enjoyment, can dilute the well balanced nutrition provided by professional layer feed.
What You are able to do: Make certain your flock has continual access to superior-excellent layer feed, cleanse water, and calcium Fun88 Casino supplements like crushed oyster shell. Restrict treats to no more than ten% of their daily food plan.
4. Stress and Environmental Things
Pressure is a major contributor to lessened egg creation. Based on Damerow, stressors can involve predator threats, overcrowding, bullying, Excessive temperatures, or perhaps transferring the coop. Hens are sensitive to alter and can react by halting egg output.
What You Can Do: Develop a relaxed, Safe and sound surroundings for your personal birds. Sustain dependable routines, supply enough space, and deal with resources of stress for example loud noises or intense flockmates.
five. Age and Health problems
Damerow reminds us that laying just isn't a lifelong endeavor. Most hens begin laying close to five–six months of age, peak at about one–two many years, then gradually slow down. Sickness, parasites, and reproductive difficulties may interfere with laying.
What You Can Do: Keep an eye on your hens’ All round wellbeing. Perform regular parasite checks, preserve a thoroughly clean coop, and check with a vet when you see indications of health issues. More mature hens should be important users of your flock even if their laying times are at the rear of them.
Final Views
As Gail Damerow normally suggests, “Chickens don’t just prevent laying for no rationale.” In the event your hens have a split, it’s their means of signaling that one thing within their atmosphere or biology has shifted. With a little bit of observation, good treatment, and many persistence, you will help manual your flock again to balanced egg generation—or simply appreciate the purely natural rhythms of their lives.