Treated for Mites but Hens Still Not Laying

[SusannahPerry]

Hello, new here...and kind of desperate to figure out what is going on with my girls.

I have 5 hens of laying age (about 8 months) that were all laying steadily. We then added 2 younger hens who aren't yet laying. We segregated them and slowly incorporated the new girls into the flock but at some point in that time period, all my hens aside from my trusty Ameracauna, Rose, stopped laying. Their combs became pale and I got really, REALLY worried. I read and researched. I ruled out molt. I gave them thorough physical inspections (they still haven't forgiven me for that...) to rule out them being egg bound and in the process, saw a few brown specks at the base of the feathers of the girls with the paler combs. So we treated thoroughly for mites, spraying the coop down 3 times, 7 days between each treatment and changed out all the bedding and nesting materials. I've treated everyone with Sevin dust three times now. I've checked and checked every inch of those girls and cannot find a single mite. Their combs are back to being nice and red and everyone is acting completely normal. I increased the protein in their diet to help them bounce back from the mites. Everyone is eating, drinking, pooping, all is well. Aside from the fact that STILL Rose is the only one laying eggs. What have I missed? Does anyone have ANY suggestions? I'm getting very worried about my girls.

EDIT... a few things to add... We scoured the run and did not find a hidden nest. We live in the woods but the girls are fully enclosed and very protected from predators. We even covered the ground of their run with hardware cloth before putting down bedding. There is the possibility that they aren't getting enough light but when they all suddenly stopped, the days hadn't started getting noticeably shorter yet.

THANK YOU!
Susannah
Knoxville, TN

 

[getaclue]

Changing the dynamics in a coop, especially adding younger girls to the flock, can stop them from laying for awhile. I'd stop with the protein increase, since it's no longer needed, and just wait it out. They'll resume eventually. Keep in mind too, they may not be molting, but the days are beginning to get a bit shorter.

 

[Wezdin]

Do you supply them with artificial light? if not they may not go into a molt but they could slow down laying still.

 

[SusannahPerry]

Changing the dynamics in a coop, especially adding younger girls to the flock, can stop them from laying for awhile. I'd stop with the protein increase, since it's no longer needed, and just wait it out. They'll resume eventually. Keep in mind too, they may not be molting, but the days are beginning to get a bit shorter.

I'm definitely starting to wonder about the light. I think that could be an issue.

 

[getaclue]

I personally don't supply additional light. They get a well-deserved break. They're not vending machines.

 

[SusannahPerry]

Do you supply them with artificial light? if not they may not go into a molt but they could slow down laying still.

We don't at the moment. I think that I need to look in to that. If I were to supplement their light, would I do that in the run where they spend most of their days or in the coop where they sleep. They really only go into their coop at night or when they used to lay eggs.

 

[SusannahPerry]

I personally don't supply additional light. They get a well-deserved break. They're not vending machines.

Totally understand. Would their age have anything to do with it? Since they were younger, their laying season was just short and the stress of the new hens and then the mites ground them all to a halt? It was 90 degrees when they stopped so I don't think it was cold related.

 

[getaclue]

Totally understand. Would their age have anything to do with it? Since they were younger, their laying season was just short and the stress of the new hens and then the mites ground them all to a halt? It was 90 degrees when they stopped so I don't think it was cold related.

All of the above can be factors. Give it time, and it should work itself out.

 

[Ebony Rose]

I'm definitely starting to wonder about the light. I think that could be an issue.

Chickens need 14 to 16 hours of light daily to maintain their peek laying. A study done with quail suggests that forcing the laying of eggs year round with light shortens their lifespan. Weigh the pros and cons and your reasoning for having a flock. Are your girls all about laying eggs or are they (or have they become) pets that you'd want to keep long after their laying years are over? I don't expect an answer to that, but it's something you need to answer to yourself to help you determine the best course of action for YOUR flock. If you elect to supplement light to increase your egg production, I recommend putting it on a timer in the coop, and have it turn on at dusk and turn itself off after the number of hours it's running combined with the number of hours the sun is shining in your area, makes for a "full day" of sunlight for your girls. If you choose not to supplement, you may look into ways of preserving your eggs for the coming year (late fall and winter), so that you're not in this predicament next year Blessings to you and your flock.

 

[SusannahPerry]

Chickens need 14 to 16 hours of light daily to maintain their peek laying. A study done with quail suggests that forcing the laying of eggs year round with light shortens their lifespan. Weigh the pros and cons and your reasoning for having a flock. Are your girls all about laying eggs or are they (or have they become) pets that you'd want to keep long after their laying years are over? I don't expect an answer to that, but it's something you need to answer to yourself to help you determine the best course of action for YOUR flock. If you elect to supplement light to increase your egg production, I recommend putting it on a timer in the coop, and have it turn on at dusk and turn itself off after the number of hours it's running combined with the number of hours the sun is shining in your area, makes for a "full day" of sunlight for your girls. If you choose not to supplement, you may look into ways of preserving your eggs for the coming year (late fall and winter), so that you're not in this predicament next year Blessings to you and your flock.

Thank you! I'd say that they are definitely as much pets as they are for egg production. I think the main thing that I'm trying to figure out is whether or not I've missed something that I should be watching for or treating. I want them to be healthy and happy, first and foremost.