Top 5 Causes Your Hens End Laying, Explained by Gail Damerow
Top 5 Causes Your Hens End Laying, Explained by Gail Damerow
Blog Article
If the hens have out of the blue stopped laying eggs, you are not by itself—and there’s generally an excellent explanation driving it. As outlined by Gail Damerow, revered poultry pro and writer in the Chicken Well being Handbook and Storey’s Manual to Boosting Chickens, egg-laying is a posh approach influenced by a number of environmental, Organic, and nutritional components. Here's the very best five explanations your hens may possibly cease laying, as defined by Damerow, along with realistic ideas to aid your flock get again on course.
one. Molting Period
Molting is usually a normal procedure where by chickens drop aged feathers and expand new kinds. Damerow emphasizes that molting normally takes place yearly, commonly in late summer time or slide, and it demands an incredible degree of Vitality. For the duration of this time, hens generally pause egg manufacturing to conserve nutrients for feather regrowth.
How to proceed: Wait and see and supply added protein (for instance mealworms or higher-protein feed) to assistance the molting procedure. After your hens are concluded molting, egg production really should resume.
two. Lowered Daylight
Chickens are really responsive to light. In line with Damerow, hens have to have at least 14 to 16 hours of daylight to sustain normal laying. As daylight hours shorten in drop and winter, hens By natural means lessen or halt laying completely.
How to proceed: You may nutritional supplement with synthetic lights from the coop in the darker months. Utilize a very low-watt bulb over a timer to simulate a longer day, but steer clear of excessive lights, that may worry the birds.
three. Inadequate Nutrition
Diet plan is Probably the most overlooked reasons for lessened egg generation. Damerow warns that even modest imbalances within a hen’s eating plan—like far too tiny calcium, protein, or important natural vitamins—may result in a obvious fall in laying.
What to do: Ensure your hens have usage of a complete layer feed, along with cleanse water, oyster shells for calcium, and occasional fresh new greens or kitchen scraps. Stay clear of overfeeding treats or scratch grains, which dilute the nutritional price in their diet regime.
four. Pressure and Environmental Changes
Strain features a immediate impact on a hen’s reproductive cycle. Damerow notes that sudden variations—such as a predator assault, new flock users, coop relocation, or Severe temperature—may cause hens to prevent laying.
What to do: Lessen disruptions and manage a calm, constant natural environment. Give new birds the perfect time to combine slowly and gradually, and supply lots of Room, perches, and nest bins to reduce Opposition and stress.
5. Age and Health Issues
As hens age, their egg production Normally declines. Damerow explains that most hens arrive at peak laying all-around eighteen to 24 months and progressively taper off over the years. Disease, parasites, or fundamental medical issues may also interfere with laying.
How to proceed: Keep track of more mature hens for indications of sickness, and take into consideration standard health checks. When more mature hens may not lay as Nhà Cái Fun88 typically, they still contribute to flock dynamics and may Stay happy, healthier life.
Final Ideas
As Gail Damerow correctly advises, egg-laying is not just about biology—it’s about harmony. Whenever your hens prevent laying, it’s normally their way of telling you anything’s off. With notice to lights, nourishment, and treatment, you may also help your flock prosper and keep those egg baskets full.