Hens not laying for a month

[jnicholes]

Hi everyone,

I know I posted about this a while ago, and the response was that I had to give the chickens some time after a stray dog attack for them to start laying eggs again.

Well, I’ve given them a month, and they’re still not laying. I’m wondering if it’s something about the temperature or the daylight hours.

Don’t get me wrong, their behavior is normal. They’ve completely recovered from the stray dog attack, however, I’m not getting any eggs right now.

Is there something I can do to help them lay eggs, or do I have to wait till spring? Can someone please help me figure this out?

Here are some things I have noticed, and some data about the weather.

One chicken is missing feathers on her back neck, as if the other chickens are picking them off. I’ve seen this before, and it usually means I need to up the protein in their feed.

The weather has been pretty cold, here’s a picture of the forecast.

That’s all the data I can give right now. If someone can help me figure out why they’re not laying, and how to motivate them to lay more in the winter, I will greatly appreciate it.

Jared

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Most of my older hens haven't started back laying yet. I don't generally expect them to until March or so. The laying cycle is driven by light, and it is increasing now which will start them back up. If you want eggs during early winter than adding new birds every season helps.

What type of ration are you feeding? If they are picking feathers I would increase the protein. Feed either a non medicated chick starter, or an all flock ration with at least 18% protein. Always provide a separate dish of oyster shells for the calcium needs.

 

[RoyalChick]

Eggs? I remember eggs!
Mine quit laying well before Christmas and haven't started up again yet. I am sure they will now the days are getting longer, but no sign yet.
Just be patient.

 

[FrostRanger]

Nothing to do but keep waiting, they very well might wait until spring, most of mine aren't back to laying yet either and they are still pullets

 

[jnicholes]

I have to admit, that’s not what I wanted to hear. However, I know I needed to hear it.

I guess I have to wait till spring, then.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have to admit, that’s not what I wanted to hear. However, I know I needed to hear it.

I guess I have to wait till spring, then.

If the weather turns more mild you may see them sooner. Colder temperatures can cause stress which delays the beginning of the laying cycle.

 

[jnicholes]

If the weather turns more mild you may see them sooner. Colder temperatures can cause stress which delays the beginning of the laying cycle.

That’s very good to know. Thank you so much.

This is only my second flock. I’m still a little inexperienced.

 

[lwolsin]

I’m curious to see myself as my flock of 12 stopped laying early December. I have one younger hen that gives me a couple eggs a week but going from 7-9 a day to that has been hard! We had record lows here last week in Georgia with 19 degree nights and snow! Now this week we are going to see 72 degree days with 11 hours of sunshine so fingers crossed!

 

[jnicholes]

I know this thread is old, but I figured I would update you all.

Today, I caught one of my chickens doing the “submissive squat.”

It was Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Their combs and waddles are also turning red, more red than it was in the winter when I previously posted.

I think they’re gonna start laying again soon.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, Jared! Yes, it's probably the short days that have kept your hens from laying. Most people, it seems just wait it out. However, there was a year we went about 6 months egglessly! It started with a very hot sumner and the girls quit laying in August due to the heat. Then in late Sept, most of Oct, they went into molt; no eggs. Nov, Dec, Jan, no eggs, not enough sunshine. Finally toward the end of Feb I started getting a few eggs and by mid-March I was happy again. Come May, I had enough to sell and share. But doing without for such a long dry spell? Bummer! So the following year as soon as they were done molting I started giving them supplemental light every evening. This year I started, I think, in late November(?) right after all had molted. I gave them a total of 12 hours of light every day. And about 6 weeks later I was getting 8 - 10 eggs/day consistently out of 20 layers (some are old). Sometimes I get 16! They're doing grest and I'm selling eggs again, too! It doesn't need to be a bright light, I understand; a night light will do. But some say that "forcing" hens to lay by increasing light in this way is cruel, unnatural and exploitative. My reasoning was that chickens at the equator do not get a 6- month or even a 3-month vacation from egg-laying, and it seems to do them no harn.