Why wont my chikens lay eggs?

Question

They are on 24/7 light and they are not laying eggs. I have 3 hens and 1 rooster. Do chikens get too old to lay??

Answer 1

Rooster is on strike...Chickens must be some ugly old hens!

Answer 2

Why do you have them on 24/7 light? You're going to screw up their natural body rhythms doing that.

Hens generally want dark places to lay their eggs; nesting boxes that are clean and safe from predators. If you have to you can even just use big cardboard boxes with a single hole cut in one side of them big enough for the hens to get through. Fill the box with hay or shredded paper for them to nest in. Some hens don't like to share their nesting boxes, so you may have to make one for each bird.

Older hens produce less eggs than younger ones, but can usually produce eggs until they die.

Hens will stop laying when they're "brooding" (have hatched chicks they're caring for). Brooding hens often walk around with their feather fluffed out, and drop their head and raise their wings to make themselves look threatening if the rooster comes near.

You don't need a rooster around for the hens to lay; the hens will lay whether he's around or not. All he does is act as the flock's leader, finds food sources for the hens, and fertilizes the eggs.

Answer 3

I have had chickens for a number of years...all hens and a bucket of eggs every couple days. This is what I do for my hens:

Roosters: The rooster is stressing them out especially if he is in close quarters with the hens. You don't need to have a rooster to have happy laying hens. Your hens should make an egg a day without 'ol Roo hanging around. The purpose of the rooster is to get fertilized eggs (the ones that hatch) If you want eggs for breakfast you'll need to keep the rooster housed seperately.

Lighting: As far as light, They need about 8 to 10 hours light per day in their feeding area. the 8 to 10 hours ensure summertime amounts of light even in winter. The reduced light in winter causes decreased egg production but 24/7 light will "use up" your hens.. It's all about balance. I keep my light on 8 to 12 hours per day in the coop 12 months a year 7 days a week that way they always have the same amount of light, dark and rest and I get the same amount of eggs all year (everybody's happy)

Feeding:

Layena brand crumbles or similar crumbles formulated for laying hens and cracked corn...three parts crumbles to one part cracked corn. Also cover the run area with a few small piles of crushed oyster shells (avail from the feed store) two or three pounds on a pile should be fine They love scraps from the kitchen too. I give mine lots of fruit and veggie scraps. They also love worms and bugs. Also provide plenty of fresh water 24/7!!. In winter you'll need a heated bowl of sorts.

Nesting:

The birds need to have a run area and a seperate house area. Mine live in a phone booth size shed with a nest box on the wall attached to a 15X20 enclosed run. I have 4 chickens...you can go a little smaller on the run but i choose to spoil my hens

Age:

My oldest hen is 5 years old and gives me almost an egg a day (the same that I get from my young hens) Even old hens will continue to lay eggs as long as you treat them well. The reason hens in the chicken industry stop laying is due to ill treatment. See www.goveg.com for info on that.

Visit www.backyardchickens.com for somegood info. It's a great site. Write me at [e-mail] if you want to pick my brain some more

Answer 4

first of all are you optimistic they're female? as quickly as previous that easy matter understand that chickens do no longer desire to place whilst the days are short. now and lower back you will get around this by potential of putting a mild on a timer so it comes on an hour or 2 in the previous daylight hours. looks like they're purely no longer sufficiently previous yet however so wait and spot. additionally make optimistic the nutrition you're feeding is made for laying hens. some human beings call this laying mash and it may desire to have a number of calcium in it for the eggshells. Supplementing with oyster shell facilitates too.

Answer 5

They are not laying because they are on 24/7 light! Thats not natural !!! Chickens lay their best between 25 weeks and three years, but can still lay for up to nine or ten years. Those girls need some sleep just like you or me. Set your light on a timer not to turn on untill at least 6:00 in the morning. And if it is cold where you are dont expect much out of them untill warmer weather, especially if they are not of a cold weather breed.

Answer 6

Roosters have nothing to do with it. Neither does feed. They do get too old but also they don't lay when they are in their molting stage. You'll know when that is--they'll look scruffy. Nature isn't stupid-a chick wouldn't survive in the winter so why produce as many eggs? Mine usually lay in the winter but not even half as many as summertime. Heat and light will help-fake them into believing the weather is warmer and daylight is longer. Hope that helps somewhat.

Answer 7

I don't know the answer - I just know that chickens can stop laying and its difficult to start them off again. Yes they can be too old.

Answer 8

You are over doing it .. weather has a lot to do with egg prod.as does food are you feeding layena.. and yes chickens can lay out.

Answer 9

because u have 4 roosters! ;-)

Answer 10

Well they are only born with so many eggs, how old are they?