It is always concerning when our hens suddenly stop laying. The first symbol of a problem for ones girls is the place they stop laying eggs. When chickens do not have something they want egg production would be the first thing their own health shut down to make up for which it is lacking. Most of the time it is really an easy fix, could be the coop clean? Are you feeding the correct food? Sometimes it could more complex, are my babies sick or would be the molting? Let’s take apple iphone 4 common issues and find out what it takes to obtain the girls happy again.
Age:
Chickens have a very lifespan of 7 years are usually in their prime for your first year or a couple of them laying eggs, and then production rapidly declines prior to the 4th or 5th year whenever they usually stop laying altogether. It usually advisable to replace the laying hen with a brand new one after their 3rd year of laying eggs.
Habitat:
Chickens are creatures of habit, sometimes the slightest change can throw them off. Moving your hens from location to another, adding extra features or space can stress your girls. They will not likely start laying again until believe that relaxed and so are comfortable again. Even a dirty pen or coop could throw them off, unsanitary conditions would be the best way to to the birds to contract unwanted diseases, particularly space is simply too small.
Food / Water:
A dehydrated chicken cannot produce eggs ensure there is always water available for the hens. Using the nipple drinkers help conserve water and make the coop clean. To produce an egg your girls have to have a special diet of calcium and proteins. This type of feed is termed “layer feed” and can be purchased in many different varieties from different feed or pet stores. Chickens will overeat so monitor the feed depending on the number of chickens.
Health:
Did the chicken go broody? A broody hen will never lay until she actually is done hatching her eggs. The girls won’t lay whenever they molt either. Molting is the place the chickens are losing their feather caused by changes in weather. It’s the same in principle as when a dog shed its fur, except the chicken sheds its feathers. Mites put many strain on a hen’s body, the girl with miserable and won’t lay in your case. A good sign your chicken is ill or you cannot feeling well is her stance. If she’s hunched over as an alternative to standing up and perky she actually is not feeling well and it has problems she probably needs assist with.
Stress:
If a chicken is stressed she won’t lay, she would need to feel comfortable. Too many roosters can readily cause stress on your girls. Is there a predator around, is she fearful? Keep your girls happy safe and fed, and she or he provides you with many eggs to return. Some birds are better layers as opposed to runners, such as the Orpington Chicken that has been bread for max laying capacity.