[egbert]

My 4 chickens were producing eggs all through the winter, when most other chooks around had stopped, due presumably to the cold and short days.


Now its brighter - but obviously very wet - they haven't laid for about 2-3 months. Plus 2 of them have bare bums that just are not growing any feather, which they have had most of the winter. Only 2 of them though - and I can't find any red mites, pecking etc.


Any ideas why they are no longer laying - 2 are 18 months old, 2 are 2.5 years old.

[jaykay]

Well, they may need a rest and be thinking of moulting if they've laid all winter - might be the reason for the bare bums too.

Spoil them a bit with some poulty spice in their food and some greens if they're in a run.

But I find that if it's too hot, too cold, too still, too windy, too wet, too dry...... it affects their laying.

[kate. x]

Hi.
 
Mine really don't like the wet weather either! They have gone off the lay also.
 
But I have to agree if they have bare bums they could be starting the moult.
 
Frozen sweetcorn on the cob is also another boost which mine love, Defrost and hang up somewhere,
 

[northfifeduckling]

I've just decided that after months of bare backs and bums 2 of mine must be suffering from Northern Fowl mites as the red mites went away after painting the house and perches with diatom and nothing else worked (anti-pecking spray, Gentian Violet, nutritional supplements). Apparently a case for a prescription spray from the vet (although there is another recent thread on this if you want to search). Some folks are using spot on for sheep or Frontline spray for cats/dogs.
Could it be yours are laying elsewhere? I found a stash of 37 eggs in a tarpaulin between some wood, lovely nest! 

[chrismahon]

Sounds like lice Egbert. Probably the feather eating' quill burrowing variety for which the only effective treatment we have found is Frontline cat/dog spray at half the minimum dose ie. 3 sprays per Kg bodyweight. Has to be from a vet I'm afraid. It isn't licenced for chickens but my vet suggested an egg withdrawal of a week, which doesn't matter if they are not laying.
 
Could be a moult, but you should see primary wing feathers in the run first.