A sudden or gradual drop in laying worries any keeper, but it almost always has a natural, identifiable cause. Here are the eight most common reasons hens stop laying, and how to get production going again.
At what age do hens start and stop laying?
A hen starts laying at around 5 to 6 months and lays best in her first two years. After that, laying naturally drops by about 10 to 15% a year. A hen of 4 or 5 lays far less than at her peak, with nothing wrong at all. Age is the first thing to consider in a hen that is slowing down gradually.
Molting, the number one cause in autumn
Every autumn, hens lose and regrow their feathers: this is the molt. Making new feathers takes a lot of protein, and laying almost always stops for several weeks, sometimes two months. It is normal and temporary. A higher-protein feed during this period helps hens bounce back faster.
Short daylight in winter
Laying is triggered by light. Hens need about 14 hours of daylight a day to lay steadily. In autumn and winter the days shorten and many hens naturally stop. You can extend coop lighting in the morning to keep 14 hours of light, or simply accept this winter break that lets the hens rest.
Stress and change
Hens are sensitive to stress, which shuts down laying quickly. A move, new hens arriving, a sudden feed change, heat, cold, overcrowding or a predator visit are all enough to stop everything. A calm, stable environment with enough space is the best prevention.
Broodiness
A broody hen stops laying: she sits on the nest, puffs up her feathers and tries to hatch eggs. If you do not want chicks, collect the eggs every day and lift her off the nest regularly. As long as the broody instinct lasts, she will not lay.
Unsuitable feed or water
A laying hen needs a balanced feed at around 16 to 18% protein and a calcium source (oyster shell) to build shells. Too many table scraps, corn or treats unbalance the ration and cut laying. A lack of water, even for a few hours in hot weather, also stops production.
Disease and parasites
Red mites, intestinal worms or illness weaken a hen and stop laying. Check hens at night for red mites in the coop, and watch weight, appetite and droppings. A sick, listless or ruffled hen should be isolated and, if needed, seen by a vet.
Do hens hide their eggs?
Sometimes hens are laying just fine, but somewhere other than the nest boxes: in a hedge, under a bush or in a hidden corner if they free-range. Vanishing eggs can also be eaten by the hens themselves, a rodent or a predator. Look for hidden nests and collect eggs several times a day.
How to get hens laying again
First identify the cause by tracking each hen's laying over a few weeks. Provide a quality layer feed with calcium, clean water at all times, 14 hours of light if needed, a healthy parasite-free coop and a calm environment. Most laying stops resolve by fixing one of these points, or clear up on their own after the molt or winter.