In case your hens have suddenly stopped laying eggs, you are not on your own—and there’s generally a good motive behind it. According to Gail Damerow, revered poultry qualified and author with the Hen Wellness Handbook and Storey’s Guideline to Raising Chickens, egg-laying is a complex approach motivated by a variety of environmental, Organic, and nutritional elements. Here's the best 5 good reasons your hens may perhaps stop laying, as defined by Damerow, in addition to functional guidelines that will help your flock get back again on the right track.
one. Molting Year
Molting can be a organic procedure where by chickens get rid of previous feathers and mature new types. Damerow emphasizes that molting usually takes place yearly, ordinarily in late summer season or fall, and it calls for a tremendous number of Vitality. During this time, hens typically pause egg production to conserve nutrients for feather regrowth.
What to do: Be patient and provide more protein (like mealworms or substantial-protein feed) to guidance the molting process. As soon as your hens are finished molting, egg creation really should resume.
two. Diminished Daylight
Chickens are remarkably conscious of light-weight. According to Damerow, hens require a minimum of fourteen to sixteen hrs of daylight to sustain regular laying. As daylight several hours shorten in slide and winter, hens Normally decrease or stop laying entirely.
What to do: You can nutritional supplement with artificial lights while in the coop through the darker months. Utilize a lower-watt bulb on a timer to simulate a longer working day, but stay away from too much lighting, which often can anxiety the birds.
three. Poor Diet
Food plan is The most overlooked causes for lessened egg production. Damerow warns that even tiny imbalances in a very hen’s food plan—like too little calcium, protein, or important vitamins—can result in a apparent drop in laying.
How to proceed: Be certain your hens have usage of an entire layer feed, coupled with clean up drinking water, oyster shells for calcium, and occasional clean greens or kitchen scraps. Stay Nhà Cái Fun88 away from overfeeding treats or scratch grains, which dilute the nutritional worth in their eating plan.
4. Tension and Environmental Modifications
Stress has a direct impact on a hen’s reproductive cycle. Damerow notes that unexpected modifications—for instance a predator attack, new flock customers, coop relocation, or Intense temperature—can result in hens to halt laying.
What to do: Limit disruptions and preserve a peaceful, dependable setting. Give new birds time to integrate bit by bit, and supply lots of Room, perches, and nest bins to lower Opposition and stress.
5. Age and Medical issues
As hens age, their egg creation The natural way declines. Damerow clarifies that most hens reach peak laying about eighteen to 24 months and step by step taper off through the years. Disease, parasites, or underlying health concerns might also interfere with laying.
What to do: Keep track of more mature hens for signs of health issues, and look at typical well being checks. While older hens may well not lay as usually, they still lead to flock dynamics and will Reside delighted, healthful life.
Remaining Thoughts
As Gail Damerow properly advises, egg-laying will not be just about biology—it’s about stability. Whenever your hens prevent laying, it’s generally their means of telling you a little something’s off. With interest to lighting, nutrition, and treatment, you might help your flock thrive and preserve People egg baskets whole.