Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
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Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?
Reduced daylight is a common reason chickens slow or stop laying. Poultry Extension recommends at least 14 hours of light per day to maintain year-round production. Molt, age, nutrition, stress, broodiness, hidden nests, and health problems can also affect the egg basket.
In Santa Cruz County, our winter daylight falls to roughly 9.5 hours in December. That alone is enough to pause laying in most breeds. But daylight is not the only factor. If your hens have stopped producing outside of the normal seasonal dip, there are several things to investigate.
Molting is another common cause. Poultry Extension explains that hens at the end of a laying cycle may stop, molt, rest, and then return to production. Timing and duration vary, so examine the bird for normal feather regrowth and seek veterinary advice if feather loss comes with wounds, parasites, weakness, or other illness signs.
Nutrition matters too. Poultry Extension recommends a complete, balanced ration matched to age and production stage and warns that scratch grains can dilute nutrient intake. Keep the appropriate complete feed as the main diet, provide clean water, and offer calcium according to qualified poultry guidance.
Stress is another common culprit. A predator visit (even an unsuccessful one), a new bird introduced to the flock, a dog that barks near the coop, or a sudden change in routine can all suppress laying for days or weeks. Here in Boulder Creek, nighttime predator pressure from raccoons and ringtail cats is a year-round reality. Even the sound of something testing your hardware cloth at 2 a.m. can stress your birds enough to affect production.
Age also matters. University of Minnesota Extension says peak production occurs in the first two years, after which output generally declines. The change does not follow one fixed percentage for every hen; breed, season, health, nutrition, and management all influence the pattern.
Finally, check for hidden nests. Free-ranging hens sometimes find a quiet spot under a bush or behind a garden shed and lay there instead of in the nesting box.
This week: Make sure layer feed is the main food source (not scratch or scraps), confirm oyster shell is available free-choice, and do a quick walk around your yard to check for hidden nests.
Keep Reading
- What to Feed Your Backyard Flock Year-Round in California
- Common Health Issues in Backyard Chickens, Ducks, and Geese
- Why Is My Chicken Losing Feathers in Summer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my hens stop laying in winter?
Shorter days are a common cause. Poultry Extension recommends at least 14 hours of daily light for year-round production. Molt, age, nutrition, stress, broodiness, hidden nests, and illness should also be considered.
Could my hens' diet be reducing egg production?
Yes. Poultry Extension recommends a complete, balanced ration and warns that scratch grains can dilute it. Keep the appropriate complete feed as the main diet and use species- and stage-specific guidance for calcium and other supplements.
My hen looks healthy but I am finding no eggs. What else could it be?
Free-ranging hens sometimes lay in hidden spots outside the nesting boxes, so search secluded corners of the yard. Molting, stress, and age can also pause or reduce laying.
