When your hens have out of the blue stopped laying eggs, you're not by yourself—and there’s normally a great rationale powering it. Based on Gail Damerow, revered poultry expert and author on the Hen Well being Handbook and Storey’s Information to Increasing Chickens, egg-laying is a fancy approach motivated by several different environmental, Organic, and nutritional factors. Here's the highest five reasons your hens may quit laying, as described by Damerow, in conjunction with realistic recommendations that will help your flock get back again on course.

one. Molting Period
Molting is usually a pure method where by chickens drop aged feathers and increase new kinds. Damerow emphasizes that molting normally takes place once a year, typically in late summertime or fall, and it demands an incredible degree of Power. Through this time, hens often pause egg creation to conserve nutrients for feather regrowth.

What to do: Be patient and supply extra protein (such as mealworms or high-protein feed) to support the molting method. After your hens are completed molting, egg creation really should resume.

two. Diminished Daylight
Chickens are really conscious of light-weight. In keeping with Damerow, hens involve not less than fourteen to 16 several hours of daylight to sustain typical laying. As daylight hours shorten in slide and Winter season, hens In a natural way lessen or cease laying completely.

How to proceed: It is possible to dietary supplement with synthetic lighting in the coop over the darker months. Utilize a lower-watt bulb with a timer to simulate a longer day, but stay clear of extreme lighting, which can pressure the birds.

three. Bad Diet
Diet regime is one of the most forgotten causes for lessened egg production. Damerow warns that even modest imbalances in a hen’s diet program—like far too little calcium, protein, or important vitamins—can cause a apparent drop in laying.

What to do: Guarantee your hens have entry to a complete layer feed, as well as clear water, oyster shells for calcium, and occasional fresh greens or kitchen area scraps. Prevent overfeeding treats or scratch grains, which dilute the nutritional worth of their diet.

4. Stress and Environmental Changes
Strain incorporates a immediate effect on a hen’s reproductive cycle. Damerow notes that unexpected alterations—such as a predator attack, new flock users, coop relocation, or Excessive temperature—can result in hens to halt laying.

What to do: Limit disruptions and preserve a peaceful, consistent natural environment. Give new birds time to integrate bit by bit, and supply plenty of Area, perches, and nest bins to lessen Competitors and nervousness.

5. Age and Health problems
As hens age, their egg manufacturing In a natural way declines. Damerow describes that many hens get to peak laying all over 18 to 24 months and steadily taper off over the years. Health issues, parasites, or underlying health problems may also interfere with laying.

How to proceed: Nhà Cái Fun88 Check more mature hens for signs of illness, and take into consideration frequent overall health checks. Whilst more mature hens may not lay as typically, they nonetheless lead to flock dynamics and will Reside joyful, healthful life.

Final Ideas
As Gail Damerow correctly advises, egg-laying isn't nearly biology—it’s about equilibrium. When your hens end laying, it’s ordinarily their means of telling you something’s off. With focus to lighting, diet, and care, you may help your flock prosper and continue to keep These egg baskets total.