i have 10 hens [free range] and they all seem to have stopped laying within a few days of each other.they are all eating well [garvo pellets]with a little corn & veg scraps in the afternoon,all are lively &" talkative" & have good red combs.no sign of mite,the hens seem totally content although i never have had as many eggs as i expected,about 6 a day.i know they slow down now but surely it's not natural to stop completly.hens are all between 8mnths.& 1year old.any advice?
hens stopped laying
- Thread starter Martdog3
- Start date
i have 4 hens, 2 hybrids 11 months old, and 2 purebreds 8 months old. One hybrid is still laying most days, the other stopped a coup0le of weeks ago. The Sussex went broody 3 weeks ago and although I talked her out of it she hasn't layed since. The little Legbar is still giving about 4 a week.
I think we tend to forget that eggs are naturally a seasonal food, and we have come to expect them all the year round because nowadays commercial hens are kept in full lay with extra electric lighting. They pay the price by 'wearing out' much faster than our more naturally-kept birds, who have a rest at this time of year, and probably think about moulting before the weather gets really cold. It's good that yours are healthy and happy, and getting their strength together for the hard times ahead!
I think we tend to forget that eggs are naturally a seasonal food, and we have come to expect them all the year round because nowadays commercial hens are kept in full lay with extra electric lighting. They pay the price by 'wearing out' much faster than our more naturally-kept birds, who have a rest at this time of year, and probably think about moulting before the weather gets really cold. It's good that yours are healthy and happy, and getting their strength together for the hard times ahead!
chrismahon
Well-known member
Most of ours have stopped -Pedigrees because of moulting and hybrids because ?? We have just passed the equinox so maybe that has triggered it.
