Chickens Not Laying Eggs? 10 Reasons They Might Stop

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Are your chickens not laying eggs right now? As a chicken keeper, there are few things more satisfying than collecting fresh eggs from your very own flock. But what happens when those eggs suddenly stop coming? It can be a frustrating and confusing experience for any backyard chicken keeper.

So, you start asking yourself, “why aren’t my chickens laying eggs?” You’ve nurtured them and raised them from little chicks and provided them with everything they need… why would they just up and stop laying the delicious eggs you’ve been enjoying the last few months?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In this post, we’ll explore the various reasons why your chickens stop laying eggs, and offer some tips on how to prevent and address these issues. So no matter where you are in your chicken-keeping journey, read on to learn more about how to keep your chickens healthy, happy, and productive!

Natural Reasons your chickens stop laying eggs

There are several completely natural and normal reasons why you might notice that your chickens stop laying eggs. They are built into the chicken’s DNA and honestly, there isn’t a whole lot we can do about these reasons.

1. Age

What are the ages of the hens in your flock? When chickens start laying eggs, they sometimes just keep right on laying eggs through their first winter. If your hens are into their second winter of laying, it could very well be it’s just their natural time to take a little break. (More on that below)

A hen’s egg production will peak in her first year of laying, then decrease each year after that. Most commercial operations will replace their hens by the time they are three years of age as egg production has decreased enough to make them less profitable to keep raising.

If your hens are over 3-5 years of age, you can expect at least a 50% decrease in egg production from their first year of laying.

2. Molting

When they are about 15-18 months old, your hens will go through their first adult molt. Molting is the natural process of shedding their current feathers and regrowing new ones. This process requires a lot of energy and nutrients, so typically, your chickens stop laying for awhile while they molt. Roosters molt also, but we tend not to notice it as much.

During their molt, your chickens will look a bit rough. (Ok, some of them look downright bedraggled, lol) Just know that it is normal, and they will bounce back more beautifully than ever.

One thing you can do to support your chickens while they molt is to provide them with a higher protein feed or higher protein treats. I generally feed a (non-medicated) chick starter to my hens while they are molting just so they get that protein boost.

3. The Egg-Laying Cycle

Chickens ovulate (release the egg yolk) every 24-26 hours. After the yolk is released, it travels through her reproductive tract and the egg white and shell are added. It takes 26 hours for the entire egg to form.

So, each day your hen will lay later and later into the day. When it gets too late in the day for your hen to lay an egg, ovulation won’t be triggered and your hen may skip a day or two of laying. This won’t be a permanent or lengthy stop, but you might notice it in your egg basket.

Environmental Factors that will make you Notice Your Chickens Not Laying

Two environmental factors that can occur to make your chickens stop laying are lack of light and extreme weather conditions.

4. Lack of Sunlight

Your chicken’s egg-laying cycle relies heavily on sunlight. When we move into the winter months, the amount of sunlight decreases, and consequently so do your egg numbers. Your chickens stop laying eggs (for the most part) when the daily sunlight dips below 12 hours. They will begin laying again when it reaches about 14 hours, and won’t be back up to peak until it reaches about 16 hours a day.

As I said earlier, new layers (pullets) will frequently not stop laying eggs through the winter months. Your older hens will either stop or all but stop laying eggs.

Is there a way to fix the day-length issue of why your chickens aren’t laying? Well, technically yes there is. You can add a 60-watt lightbulb to the coop and turn it on in the early morning before sunrise to “trick” your hens into thinking there is more daylight. You could also use patio string lights, or multiple smaller watt bulbs.

I think the better question is should you fix this issue? Chickens have a finite number of eggs to lay, and making eggs takes a lot of energy and nutrients. Yes, you absolutely can trick your chickens into laying through the winter, but this can cause health problems for them.

In my opinion, it is much kinder to let your chickens have a break over winter. Generally, the molt happens in the fall, which also takes a lot of energy, so letting them take a little break to rest and replenish their body’s nutrients will keep your hens happy and healthier in the long run.

5. Extreme Weather Conditions

We’ve talked about how light affects the egg-laying cycle in winter, but the other problem we encounter during that season is extreme cold!

When we get those really cold snaps in winter, your hens use up way more energy trying to keep warm. It causes them stress, and may ultimately affect their health. Laying eggs takes a lot of energy, and when that energy is being used elsewhere (to stay warm), something has to give! So, you get fewer eggs from your girls.

Some breeds of chickens are bred to be “cold hardy.” These breeds will be able to withstand colder temperatures than other breeds for longer before they stop laying eggs. On the flip side, there are also breeds that are bred for or are naturally heat tolerant.

When the temperatures soar in the summer and all you want to do is sit in front of an air conditioner or float in the pool, your chickens will experience some heat stress also. This, can again, lead to decreased egg production or none at all. Increased heat can lead to your hens eating less food. This can also affect their calcium and lead to shell quality issues.

Either extreme on the thermometer can be a plausible reason that your chickens stop laying eggs. You can try adding supplemental heat in the winter (just not too much or they won’t be able to adjust to the cold). In the summer make sure they have plenty of shade and offer them cool treats (like veggies frozen in ice).

Health Reasons Might be Why Your Chickens aren’t Laying

6. Illness

One of the reasons why your chickens might stop laying eggs is due to illness. Just like people and other animals, chickens can be susceptible to a variety of illnesses and diseases, some of which can impact their egg-laying abilities.

Illnesses like infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease, and avian influenza can all cause a drop in egg production. In some cases, the illness may cause a chicken to stop laying eggs altogether. This is because when a chicken is sick, her body redirects its energy toward fighting the illness, rather than producing eggs. Additionally, some illnesses can cause inflammation in the chicken’s reproductive system, which can impact her ability to lay eggs.

If you suspect that your chicken is ill, it’s important to take action right away. Common signs of illness include lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and unusual behavior. Contact your veterinarian or local poultry expert to determine the cause of the illness and develop a treatment plan. By addressing the illness quickly, you can help your chicken recover and get back to laying eggs in no time!

7. Parasites

There are two types of parasites, internal and external, and both can make you ask “why aren’t my chickens laying eggs?” Parasites are tiny organisms or little bugs that can infect your chickens and cause a variety of health problems, including a drop in egg production.

Common poultry parasites include mites, lice, and worms. When a chicken is infested with these parasites, it can cause irritation, discomfort, and stress. This can impact her ability to lay eggs, as well as her overall health and well-being.

To prevent and address parasites, it’s important to maintain a clean and healthy living environment for your chickens. Regularly clean their coop and provide plenty of fresh bedding. You can try natural remedies or medications as needed to keep parasites at bay. Additionally, keep an eye on your chickens for signs of infestation, such as feather loss, itchiness, or lethargy. If you can catch and treat parasite infestations quickly, you can help your chickens stay healthy and productive.

Nutrition Plays a Big Role In Egg Production

8. Nutrition

One of the biggest factors that can impact a chicken’s egg-laying ability is nutrition. Just like people and all other animals, chickens have their own set of nutritional needs. Chickens need a balanced diet that provides them with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep them healthy and productive.

If chickens don’t receive the proper nutrition, it can cause many problems, including a decrease in egg production. For instance, if your chicken is not getting enough protein or calcium in her diet, she may lay fewer eggs or develop thin-shelled eggs. On the other side, if she is getting too much of certain nutrients, such as salt or fat, it can also make your chicken stop laying eggs.

We want to make sure our chickens are getting all the proper nutrients they need. In order to do that, they need a nice balanced and varied diet. This may include a commercial feed mix, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even kitchen scraps. You also need to make sure your hens have access to plenty of clean fresh water all the time as dehydration will also cause chickens to stop laying eggs.

Behavioral Issues Can Make Chickens Stop Laying

9. Stress

Stress can be a significant factor in why you notice your chickens not laying, and there are many sources of stress that can impact them. Chickens are sensitive creatures that can easily become agitated by their environment, which may lead to a range of physiological changes that can ultimately result in you finding reduced egg production or your chickens not laying altogether.

We’ve already looked at a few sources of stress in chickens, but let’s go over a few more. Predation is a common source of stress for chickens, as they are natural prey animals and can become anxious and agitated when they feel threatened. If they are attacked, it is very common for your chickens to stop laying for awhile while they get over the shock and heal from their traumatic event.

Loud noises can also cause chickens to become stressed, as they are used to a more quiet and peaceful environment. Pecking order squabbles, where chickens fight for dominance in the flock, can also be a source of stress and can cause them to become anxious or fearful. Over-zealous roosters can also be a cause of stress for hens, as their constant mating attempts can be overwhelming and lead to injury.

Changes in feed or diet can also cause stress, as it can upset their digestive system and cause discomfort. Moving to a new home or coop, or even a change in routine, can also cause chickens to become stressed and impact their egg-laying ability. If you understand the sources of stress and take steps to minimize them, you can help ensure that your chickens remain calm and healthy and continue to lay eggs regularly.

10. Overcrowding

When too many chickens are kept in a small area, they can easily become agitated and restless, which can impact their overall well-being and productivity.

Overcrowding can also lead to a lack of ventilation, which then can lead to a build-up of ammonia and other harmful gases that can negatively affect your chicken’s respiratory health. Crowing your birds too much can also increase the risk of disease and parasite infestations, which as noted above, are both reasons why might notice your chickens not laying eggs.

If you do notice your chickens not laying as many eggs as usual, it may be due to overcrowding. To prevent this issue, make sure that your coop is large enough to allow each chicken to move around freely, with enough room for perching and nesting. About 4 square feet of coop space per standard breed chicken is enough. A general rule of thumb for nest box space is about 1 box for every 4 hens.

Don’t forget to provide sufficient ventilation to prevent the build-up of harmful gases. Be sure to avoid adding too many chickens to your flock without increasing the size of your coop. (Chicken math is a real thing, people)

That’s a lot of Reasons!

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons you might find yourself asking “why aren’t my chickens laying eggs?” Some of them are easy to fix, and some of them are simply just how chickens are wired and how they naturally do things. It is completely and perfectly normal for your chickens to go through periods where they don’t lay any eggs or lay fewer eggs.

Are you having any problems with your chickens not laying eggs? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!