Top 5 Reasons Your Hens Stop Laying, Explained by Gail Damerow
Top 5 Reasons Your Hens Stop Laying, Explained by Gail Damerow
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In the event your hens have abruptly stopped laying eggs, you are not by yourself—and there’s usually an excellent cause driving it. In accordance with Gail Damerow, revered poultry skilled and writer in the Chicken Health Handbook and Storey’s Guide to Boosting Chickens, egg-laying is a posh approach influenced by a number of environmental, Organic, and nutritional components. Allow me to share the very best 5 good reasons your hens could quit laying, as explained by Damerow, coupled with functional ideas to assist your flock get again on the right track.
1. Molting Time
Molting can be a all-natural system in which chickens lose previous feathers and grow new types. Damerow emphasizes that molting typically happens every year, typically in late summer months or drop, and it requires a tremendous number of Power. All through this time, hens frequently pause egg generation to preserve nutrients for feather regrowth.
What to do: Be patient and supply excess protein (including mealworms or significant-protein feed) to support the molting approach. At the time your hens are finished molting, egg manufacturing really should resume.
two. Decreased Daylight
Chickens are very aware of light-weight. According to Damerow, hens demand no less than fourteen to sixteen several hours of daylight to maintain frequent laying. As daylight several hours shorten in tumble and Wintertime, hens Normally minimize or cease laying entirely.
What to do: You may nutritional supplement with synthetic lights from the coop in the darker months. Utilize a small-watt bulb with a timer to simulate an extended day, but stay away from extreme lighting, which can worry the birds.
three. Lousy Diet
Diet program is Just about the most disregarded factors for decreased egg output. Damerow warns that even compact imbalances in a very hen’s diet regime—like also small calcium, protein, or key natural vitamins—can cause a noticeable fall in laying.
What to do: Be certain your hens have use of a complete layer feed, coupled with clear water, oyster shells for calcium, and occasional refreshing greens or kitchen scraps. Prevent overfeeding treats or scratch grains, which dilute the nutritional worth in their diet program.
four. Tension and Environmental Variations
Pressure provides a direct effect on a hen’s Nhà Cái Fun88 reproductive cycle. Damerow notes that unexpected adjustments—for instance a predator attack, new flock customers, coop relocation, or extreme climate—can cause hens to stop laying.
How to proceed: Minimize disruptions and sustain a relaxed, consistent setting. Give new birds the perfect time to integrate slowly and gradually, and supply lots of Room, perches, and nest bins to lower Opposition and panic.
five. Age and Health Issues
As hens age, their egg manufacturing In a natural way declines. Damerow points out that most hens attain peak laying close to 18 to 24 months and slowly taper off over time. Ailment, parasites, or fundamental medical issues may interfere with laying.
How to proceed: Observe more mature hens for indications of ailment, and look at frequent health and fitness checks. While more mature hens may well not lay as generally, they however lead to flock dynamics and may Reside pleased, wholesome life.
Closing Feelings
As Gail Damerow properly advises, egg-laying isn't just about biology—it’s about equilibrium. Whenever your hens cease laying, it’s commonly their way of telling you something’s off. With attention to lights, nutrition, and treatment, you can assist your flock thrive and keep All those egg baskets entire.