[andycase007]

Hi All

I have 2 hens in our garden.
If you want the honest truth, we have neglected them a little bit - brand new baby has meant we haven't been out to them as much as we would like to.
However, that has all changed now. I am in the process of giving them a larger area, and soon 2 new friends.

But, for about 2 months now, we have not had an egg from either of them. I am wondering whether it is because we have not made things as comfortable for them (cleaning only once a week etc), or is it the weather/dark nights and this is just what happens? They have layers pellets everyday, with a VERY occasional treat of something else (but time hasn't allowed recently)

We have had them about 10 months, so they are no more than a year or 18months old.
Up until this point they laid everyday.

Any ideas?

[Womble]

In all likelihood just the darkness that's the problem. We're currently getting about 3 eggs a week from thirty hens, so no need to worry unduly. They'll start up again in the Spring, if not before!

[Smokin]

Hi Andy 
We currently have 7 hens and 1 cockerel, our eggs have also dwindled as the weather has got colder and the early dark nights are here, from having 6 - 7 eggs every day (42 - 49 per week) we are down to an average of 12 - 15 a week, sometimes we only get 1 a day, another day we may have 3. They have feeders of layer pellets down all the time and a few handfuls of corn and other treats every day. We give their house a good clean out every week and top up their shavings as needed. So I don't think its anything you are doing wrong (although we do spend time with ours every day) but just down to the weather and time of year. This is our first venture into keeping animals - we have sheep, pigs, laying hens, meat chickens and turkeys - but friends of ours kept chickens for years until they moved nearer to us (they dont have the space now) and they assured us it was down to the time of year. Apparently they will continue to lay if you set up lighting for them but we haven't got round to doing that yet! 

[Roxy]

If they are not pullets, they will probably have been moulting (losing their feathers). This takes all their energy, and puts laying eggs on the back burner for a few weeks.  Durng this time, they do need extra feeding.  And hens need corn as well as pellets - I usually give this at their night time feed.  Adding cider vinegar to their water, can give them a boost too.

If its any consolation, we have 80 plus free range hens and 20 bantams.  My total eggs this week from them all  is ....two.  And that was the little bantams laying.

The dark nights and mornings do not help.  I let them rest for the winter, and they lay well all summer. Some people put artificial light in to help them lay. But in your case, just having two, I would not bother with this
They will lay again when they are ready.

[Sylvia]

They will start laying again as soon as the days start to lengthen, about February time. If you think about it chickens lay to reproduce, not for our benefit. Therefore laying in Feb/March will give them chicks when the grass is shooting and the insects stirring.
Latter day hens only laid in early Spring through 'til Late Autumn and if you hadn't laid eggs down in some way for the winter you went without

[andycase007]

Great, thanks for all your replies.
I could do better for them, and will do now our routines have changed, but its good to know that its most likely natural rather than owner induced!!

[ellied]

I'm getting an average of 3-4 eggs a day from 8 hens at the moment - the original 4 were POL in July and one of those is now in moult, the others seem fine so far.  The other 4 were BHWT rescues and have put all their efforts into growing feathers as they arrived looking oven ready and pretty chilly   Egg numbers remain constant, some of the new ones have started, the others have probably dropped off, so maybe on average an egg alternate days from each bar the one in moult and the weakest of the newbies - at a guess

I am not sure how I'll cope with full lay of 7 a day unless I get a few more customers but it'll be a good problem to have and to be honest I'd have more chooks in another/bigger pen if I had the cash for a bigger coop or a shed

I just love my 

[deepinthewoods]

mine have almost stopped now too. ellied you must have very happy chickens for them to be still laying at that rate!

[Dizzycow]

Give them time - mine have gone from laying 2 per day to 9 in the last few days which is brilliant news as our little village shop sells them for me!
Ditto with the extra treats and lots of feed, mine get loads of corn this time of year as well as pellets. Just trying to fatten up the ducks as they've stopped completely too.
Good luck!

[Barrett]

HI Guys, fingers crossed for me I have 15 laying girls and 3 cockerels some are regrowing feathers from moulting though I am still having 6-8 eggs everyday, the daylight has a big part to play and of course for the girls good days and bad days.