In the event your hens have suddenly stopped laying eggs, you're not on your own—and there’s usually an excellent explanation at the rear of it. In keeping with Gail Damerow, revered poultry skilled and writer in the Chicken Well being Handbook and Storey’s Manual to Raising Chickens, egg-laying is a posh approach motivated by various environmental, biological, and nutritional elements. Allow me to share the highest five causes your hens may well end laying, as spelled out by Damerow, as well as sensible strategies that can help your flock get back heading in the right direction.

one. Molting Season
Molting is a normal approach where by chickens drop previous feathers and improve new types. Damerow emphasizes that molting commonly occurs every year, ordinarily in late summer time or drop, and it calls for a tremendous amount of Vitality. For the duration of this time, hens frequently pause egg production to preserve nutrients for feather regrowth.

How to proceed: Be patient and supply excess protein (such as mealworms or superior-protein feed) to help the molting process. After your hens are completed molting, egg output should really resume.

two. Reduced Daylight
Chickens are really responsive to light-weight. In accordance with Damerow, hens need at the least fourteen to sixteen hrs of daylight to maintain standard laying. As daylight several hours shorten in fall and Winter season, hens Obviously minimize or prevent laying entirely.

How to proceed: You are able to health supplement with synthetic lights from the coop throughout the darker months. Use a lower-watt bulb with a timer to simulate an extended working day, but avoid excessive lighting, which might strain the birds.

three. Weak Nutrition
Diet program is one of the most neglected reasons for reduced egg generation. Damerow warns that even small imbalances within a hen’s eating plan—like much too little calcium, protein, or key natural vitamins—can lead to a recognizable drop in laying.

How to proceed: Be certain your hens have usage of a whole layer feed, as well as clear water, oyster shells for calcium, and occasional fresh greens or kitchen area scraps. Keep away from overfeeding treats or scratch grains, which dilute the nutritional worth in their food plan.

4. Worry and Environmental Improvements
Pressure features a immediate impact on a hen’s reproductive cycle. Damerow notes that sudden changes—like a predator assault, new flock associates, coop relocation, or Extraordinary weather conditions—can cause hens to prevent laying.

How to proceed: Reduce disruptions and retain a calm, regular environment. Give new birds time and energy to combine slowly, and provide a good amount of House, perches, and nest packing containers to reduce Competitiveness and panic.

five. Age and Health concerns
As hens age, their egg production Normally Nhà Cái Fun88 declines. Damerow explains that the majority hens attain peak laying about eighteen to 24 months and little by little taper off through the years. Disease, parasites, or underlying medical issues could also interfere with laying.

What to do: Monitor more mature hens for signs of health issues, and look at standard wellness checks. While older hens may well not lay as usually, they continue to contribute to flock dynamics and will Reside joyful, healthful lives.

Closing Thoughts
As Gail Damerow properly advises, egg-laying will not be just about biology—it’s about stability. Whenever your hens halt laying, it’s usually their method of telling you anything’s off. With notice to lights, nourishment, and treatment, you might help your flock thrive and maintain Individuals egg baskets entire.