Egg laying: why a hen does not lay eggs
PetsIt is always worrying when our hens suddenly stop laying. The first sign of a problem for your daughters is when they stop laying eggs. When chickens are lacking something, they require egg production to be the first thing their bodies turn off to make up for what is lacking. Most of the time it’s an easy fix, is the coop clean? Are you feeding the right food? Sometimes it can be more complicated, are my babies sick or are they shedding? Let’s take a look at common problems and see what it takes to make girls happy again.
Age:
Chickens have a lifespan of 7 years and are at their best for the first year or two of them laying eggs, after that production declines rapidly until year 4 or 5, when they usually stop laying eggs altogether. complete. It is usually best to replace the laying hen with a new one after the third year of egg laying.
Habitat:
Chickens are creatures of habit, sometimes the slightest change can throw them off. Moving your chickens from one place to another, adding new features or space can put stress on your girls. They will not go back to bed until they feel relaxed and comfortable again. Even a dirty pen or coop could get rid of them, unsanitary conditions are the best way for birds to catch unwanted diseases, especially if the space is too small.
Food / Water:
A dehydrated chicken cannot produce eggs, make sure there is always water available for your hens. The use of nipple drinkers helps conserve water and keep the coop clean. To produce an egg, your girls need a special diet of calcium and protein. This type of feed is called “layer feed” and it comes in many different varieties from different feed or pet stores. Chickens will overeat, so control feeding based on number of chickens.
Health:
Did the hen get gloomy? A brooding hen will not lay until she has finished incubating her eggs. Girls will also not lay when they shed. Molting is when chickens lose their feathers due to changes in the weather. It’s the same as when a dog sheds its fur, except the chicken sheds its feathers. Mites put a lot of pressure on a hen’s body, she is miserable and won’t lay for you. A good sign that your chicken is sick or not feeling well is its posture. If you’re hunched over instead of standing up and perky, you’re not feeling well and have problems that you probably need help with.
Stress:
If a hen is stressed, she doesn’t lay down, she needs to feel comfortable. Too many cocks can easily cause your girls stress. Is there a predator around, are you afraid? Keep your girls happy, safe, and fed, and she’ll provide you with plenty of eggs to come. Some birds are better layers than others, such as the Orpington chicken that was panned for maximum laying capacity.