6 Common Reasons Why Your Hens Stop Laying
Most people who keep a backyard flock do so for the delicious, farm-fresh eggs. It’s always concerning when the hens suddenly stop laying. In addition to the inconvenience when there suddenly aren’t eggs for breakfast, there’s the anxiety that perhaps something is really wrong with them. In fact, a sudden decline in egg production can signal a health concern. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep track of your chickens’ laying habits. That way, you will know as soon as possible if something is wrong.
But reduction in laying doesn’t necessarily indicate illness. There are several possible reasons your hens may have stopped laying eggs. While not every reason can be outlined here, some reasons are more likely than others. let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons your hens may have stopped laying and what you can do to encourage your hens to resume laying.
6 most common reasons hens stop laying:
- Old Age:
Chickens that are properly cared for tend to live around 8-10 years but they generally only lay productively for 5-7 years. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for older members of your flock to be either non-layers or minimal-layers. If you keep several generations of chickens, it’s easy to lose track of the ages of individual birds, especially if you have many of the same breed. It can be challenging to tell two Buff Orpingtons or Rhode Island Reds apart.
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