Chickens not laying

[jasonm]

This is the first time that I have had chickens. I got them two years ago. Last winter they laid eggs all winter. No special needs, just kept them watered and fed. This winter - no eggs. Is this normal? Does egg production slow with age?

I have read that keeping a light on makes them keep laying. Seems a like they would like some sleep though.

[lilweasel]

They go into a "molt" stage where they don't lay. The cold weather slows them down also. A heat lamp will help with the extra light and heat. The older they get the more they slow down. Just like people I guess

[Admin]

This is my first year with birds too. I was told that egg production decreases in winter time but also with age. What age bracket I do not know. Right now my birds are still laying like crazy but maybe next winter they wont.

[Deleted]

In the 2nd year of having mine, that winter, they all but quit laying. They started back up in March.

[treestand13]

X2 With what lilweasel said. Chickens only have so many eggs they can lay some may have more then others. For example, one may have 50 another may have a hundred and like with women, the older they get the less the will produce because the body will not alow it to. and you may even notice that some eggs will come out with very little shell ( Water Like) I worked at an egg farm for a few years and raised some as well. If you go on line in type in raising back yard chickens, there is a lot of great info on this. I have chose to stop raising them at this time. We don't eat enough eggs to warrant the cost of the feed. And Try as I might I cant keep the Dam Critters from killing them. Good luck and have fun.

[Derek]

iv got 2 work shop lights on the ceiling that hang by the chains and are on 24/7. and 3 heat lamps that are on when its below freezing and they are still laying fine.

[Admin]

I don't have any lights at all but the coop has lots of natural light with a glass door facing the morning sun. Their water stays liquid when the outside temps stay above 5 below, but freezes up when they drop lower than that. The coop is well insulated with a concrete floor with hay on top. Between their body heat and solar gain the coop stays pretty cozy.

[paddyg441]

Feb 7, 2013 7:44:02 GMT -5 lilweasel said:

They go into a "molt" stage where they don't lay. The cold weather slows them down also. A heat lamp will help with the extra light and heat. The older they get the more they slow down. Just like people I guess

Well I will be !!!, I never was aware that Weasels knew and understood the Life Cycle of Chickens as well as that !!!, AMAZING.

[patricimo54]

My 5 hens have just come out of a long dry spell. I am now getting 4 to 5 eggs a day. We have been getting into the 70's for the last little while as well.

[ninedeer]

as chicken age they do lay fewer eggs,every time they molt their egg production will drop.the first year a good laying hen will lay over 200 eggs,every year after that number will decrease.after 5-6 years its a good idea to thin out the flock and start with new hens.in the winter they will slow way down,unless you give them more light per day.I have my coop light set on a timer to come on earlier and stay on later after dark.

[dewolfe]

We've had chickens here for 10 years and they usually lay less in the winter, but the first winter they seem to do alright. Never had any heat lamps or lights for them but give them warm water twice a day as their water freezes here. This is the worst winter yet only 1 of 5 laying and they're not even 2 years old. Looks like they may go in a stew this spring and there will be 8 new ones

[jasonm]

Like JC's, my coop has a lot of natural light and is insulated well. The light on a timer is a good idea. This is their second winter. Everybody says that egg production drops. Do they eventually quit laying? and at what age?

Trying to figure out when I need more chickens.

[dewolfe]

Had one batch of chickens for 5-6 years before, some still will lay but others will stop. I think every chicken is different so there is no particular age that they will just stop. Best thing is to watch how many eggs your getting. If after a few years your feeding 12 chickens but it drops to 3-4 eggs a day and its not the winter they may be better in a pot then in a coop. From my experience though they should all lay good for 3-4 years but after that some may stop or not lay everyday so I guess watch your number of eggs and when it slows to much time for new ones

[ninedeer]

Id would say if your chickens are 5 year old its best to start some new ones,cause by then their egg production wil most likel drop from 250+ per year down to less then 100 per years.those are not exact number but you get the idea.and after bout 7+ year they will all but stop.I have one hen that is 9 years old Henny Penny that never lays eggs anymore.

[Deleted]

here is a link that will give additional info on chickens not laying & others :

www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/why-have-my-egg-laying-hens-stopped

hope it helps anybody ;D
p.s. : if full link doesn't work, go directly to www.articlesbase.com and ask the question (you might need to sign in) --- check it out ;D

[mrchicken]

ours have just cranked back up production after a SLOW winter.
13 hens.
Got 9 eggs yesterday.
got 4 today.
Probably have 8-9 tomorrow.

[Deleted]

Feb 22, 2013 19:47:20 GMT -5 mrchicken said:

ours have just cranked back up production after a SLOW winter.
13 hens.
Got 9 eggs yesterday.
got 4 today.
Probably have 8-9 tomorrow.

Have you checked the new thread I posted earlyer this evening re. chickens not laying (additional info) - ask questions to that site ;D

[jasonm]

Well, my chickens are started back laying. I have 5 chickens and just started getting 2 eggs a day.