HELP!! I have five chickens but only one is laying eggs why?

Question

They were all laying eggs until eight weeks ago and now only one
lays eggs. I clean out there hen house every day. I just don't get it. These same chickens laid eggs all year round last year -
Do you know why this is happening?

Answer 1

There are a few factors that may be causing the reduction in egg production. Pretty much all animals (including people) experience fertility issues related to a core group of issues. Fix those issues and fertility usually returns.

Motherhood: Animals put their energy into raising babies. The best way to avoid this is to be sure to keep all eggs collected. Once a hen has gone clucky she will sit on just about any clutch she can find... and they will get sneaky about where they lay eggs when they are serious about having babies. If you don't see her but at meals for a while or you hear a weird clucking and she is "puffed up" - you have a clucky hen. A clucky hen is hard to switch back into laying mode => if they've gone clucky go ahead and let them raise a clutch.

Stress: Stress kills fertility. If you have a barking dog, if there are pest animals, if anything makes them feel insecure they will stop laying. A happy hen is a good layer.

Light: They need the right day/night ratio to stimulate egg production. Birds lay best in the spring so emulate those conditions. It is not healthy to provide too much artificial light though... so put the hen house lights on a timer & give them time in real sunlight.

Diet: Chickens need good calcium - be sure you have supplied oyster shell. If they don't get enough the shell will be leathery. These eggs will often break and be eaten before you realize they were even laid.
They also require a lot of greens and quality grain feed. There is a difference in the variety of feed... I personally recommend "Layena" from Purina. My hens also enjoyed fresh ground corn in the winter months to help them keep warm and oats in the summer. Since chickens scratch and eat off the floor be conscious of the material you use in the pen... don't let fecal matter build up.

Illness: Be sure to treat your birds for their (and your) health. As much as I applaud people for being into "organic" food and paying attn to their diet... there is a line that can be crossed.

Age: with the abuse most hens receive in a egg farm the hens will usually only give 1-2 yrs production before the body is overtaxed & shuts down... then they get shipped to slaughter. I have purchased many of these hens and under good care most will return to production the next spring.
However, an old hen (over 4-5 yrs) will not produce well and is best used for production of new layers. If your hens are too old for production purposes... I recommend getting new ones. My favorite hens came from Murray McMurray Hatcheries.

Answer 2

this happens, especially if they are going through the molting season. Chickens will also quit laying when it gets cold, just because they lay all year long one season does not mean they will every season. Alot depends on the weather and climate they are in.
Most chickens quit laying in cold weather and start laying again in the spring. Although feather-footed breeds such as; cochins, faverolles and, silkies continue to lay eggs throughout the winter in temperatures as low as 10 degrees. One chicken will lay on average an egg every other day. I don't provide my chickens with any heat for their building. They don't like snow. They will stay inside if it snows. And this has a factor on the egg laying. Do not worry they will start up again, they are taking a breather for a while.

Answer 3

Chickens lay fewer eggs as they get older, as well as tending to lay fewer eggs in the winter.

I have a friend who sells free range eggs, and she replaces 1/3 of her chickens every year for just this reason.

Answer 4

If a cockerel lays eggs there's something very wrong with it! Cockerels are male, they don't lay eggs. That would be like a man giving birth. Hens are the females, they're the ones that lay eggs. Both are chickens, that's the name of the species.

Answer 5

It has to do with the shorter daylight hours. They will start laying again in January. Egg farms don't have this problem because they keep the chickens inside in full light all day. The chickens never know the days are shorter.

Answer 6

the same with mine only one lays eggs out of 3 chickens
maybe there not all chickens
because we thoght we had 5 chickens but two of them were rosters

Answer 7

How old are the chickens? Are they mating with the rooster? Is someone or something stealing your eggs before you even realize they are there?

Answer 8

Because only one is a female. The other 4 are males. Am I right?

Answer 9

theyre probably old.. or maybe just tired..
another possiblity is that someone may steal your eggs and u dont even know that that is happening..


good luck!!

Answer 10

Damn chicken egg theives! Its really becoming an epidemic.