Why chickens stop laying eggs

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If you are in an egg drought, we will look at the top reasons for why chickens stop laying eggs so you can see what the issue is and what you can do to help. From feed to housing, there are easy fixes you can do to get the eggs coming again.

Tips and resources for Raising Chickens that are healthy, happy, and consistently lay eggs all year long.

Few things are as frustrating for a backyard chicken owner as finding an empty nesting box instead of fresh eggs in the morning. After all, having a steady supply of eggs right outside your door is a big part of keeping chickens.

But sometimes, hens take a break from laying, often for natural reasons that are simply a normal part of their life cycle.

A sudden drop in egg production can be a sign that something’s wrong, and recognizing when to step in is key to being a responsible chicken owner.

By understanding the top reasons hens stop laying, you’ll be better equipped to spot issues early and provide the care they need.

Reasons why chickens may stop laying eggs

Let’s explore some of the main reasons your hens might slow down or stop laying eggs. Understanding these causes can help you take the right steps to support your flock and keep them healthy and productive.

Reason #1. Chicken Molting

Molting is a totally natural part of a chicken’s life. It’s the process where they shed their old, worn-out feathers and grow fresh, shiny new ones.

During this time, your chickens might take a break from laying eggs because their bodies are focusing all their energy on feather regrowth instead of egg production. This typically happens in the fall or winter and can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months.

It’s nothing to worry about—just think of it as your hens prepping their bodies with warmth so they can better handle the cold winter ahead.

Read our quick guide on What is molt in chickens for more tips.

How to Help:

Molting can be a challenging time for your chickens, but with the right care, you can help them get through it comfortably. Here are some practical tips to support your flock during this natural process:

1. Provide a Protein-Rich Diet
   Molting takes a lot of energy because chickens are growing new feathers, which are mostly made of protein. Boost their diet with high-protein feed, such as layer pellets formulated for molting or treats like mealworms, scrambled eggs, or sunflower seeds. This helps them regrow feathers more efficiently.
2. Offer Nutritional Supplements
   Consider adding supplements like poultry vitamins or probiotics to their water to support their overall health. Feathers also need specific nutrients like biotin and omega-3s, so providing balanced nutrition is key.
3. Ensure Access to Fresh Water
   Proper hydration is always important, especially when chickens are molting. Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times to support their energy levels.
4. Offer Warmth in Cold Weather
   During a molt, chickens lose feathers and are more sensitive to the cold. You can add extra bedding in the coop to help insulate them or use safe heating options if it gets very chilly.
5. Be Patient
   Molting is a natural process, and it can take several weeks to a few months for your chickens to fully recover. During this time, they may stop laying eggs, but that’s completely normal. Focus on their care, and they’ll return to being productive once their feathers are regrown.

By giving your hens extra attention, proper nutrition, and a stress-free environment, you can help them stay healthy and recover quicker during their molt.

Reason #2. Lack of daylight

Chickens depend on daylight to trigger their reproductive hormones, which play a key role in egg production. When the days get shorter, especially during fall and winter, hens may naturally slow down or even stop laying eggs. This is their body’s way of conserving energy during times of less sunlight.

Once the daylight hours start to increase again in spring, you’ll notice their egg production picking back up. It’s all part of their natural cycle, and understanding this can help you support your flock through the seasonal changes.

How to Help:

To help your chickens get more daylight during the winter months, you can use artificial lighting to supplement natural sunlight. Adding a light inside the coop can extend the number of daylight hours they experience, helping to keep their reproductive cycles steady and maintain egg production.

1. Choose the Right Lighting
   Use a low-wattage bulb or an LED light to simulate daylight. These are energy-efficient and provide sufficient brightness without overheating. Make sure the light is evenly distributed throughout the coop.
2. Set a Schedule
   Chickens need about 12 to 16 hours of light each day for optimal egg production. If natural daylight provides fewer than 12 hours, you can set a timer to turn the artificial light on in the early morning or evening to ensure consistent light exposure.
3. Gradually Introduce Lighting
   Avoid abruptly adding extra light. Gradually increase the amount of light over several days to minimize stress for the chickens and ensure they adjust smoothly.
4. Prioritize Safety
   Place lights and electrical cords out of reach to prevent pecking or accidents. Use weatherproof equipment and ensure wires are secure to avoid any hazards in the coop.
5. Maintain Darkness for Rest
   Chickens also need at least 8 hours of darkness for proper rest and health. Don’t keep the lights on 24/7, as this can disrupt their natural rhythms.

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By providing additional light, you can help your hens stay productive and healthy throughout the darker winter months. Just make sure to monitor your flock for any signs of stress, and adjust the lighting schedule as needed!

Reason #3. Stress in the Flock

Chickens can get stressed out just like we do, and it’s good to know the common causes so you can help them feel better. Big changes, like moving to a new coop or rearranging their space, can throw them off.

When chickens are stressed, they use up their energy trying to cope, which often means fewer or no eggs for a while. By keeping their environment calm, their routine steady, and giving them plenty of care, you can help your hens stay happy, healthy, and ready to lay again.

How to Help:

Helping stressed chickens get back to laying eggs takes a little patience and care, but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach. Here’s how you can help:

1. Create a Calm Coop
   Make their living space as peaceful as possible—reduce noise, provide plenty of space, and keep predators away by securing the coop and run. If you recently moved them, give them time to adjust.
2. Provide Proper Nutrition
   Stress can take a toll on a chicken’s body, so feeding them a high-quality, balanced diet is essential. Look for layer feed with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and productive. You can also include treats like fruits, veggies, and mealworms in moderation for a little boost.
3. Establish a Consistent Routine
   Chickens feel secure when they know what to expect. Keep their daily schedule consistent—feeding, roosting, and even coop cleaning should happen at the same times each day. This consistency helps reduce anxiety and allows them to focus their energy on laying.
4. Add Enrichment Activities
   Boredom can make stress worse, so keep your chickens entertained with activities. You can hang up vegetables for them to peck at, scatter treats to encourage foraging, or even provide a dust bath area for comfort and play.
5. Monitor Their Health
   If stress has persisted for a while, it’s a good idea to check for signs of illness or parasites with your chicken, as these can delay recovery. If your chickens show unusual behavior, lethargy, or physical symptoms, consult a vet to make sure there’s no underlying issue.

By focusing on their well-being with these small but meaningful changes, you’ll help your flock recover from stress and thrive once more.

Reason #4. Age of Your Hen

As chickens age, it’s normal for their egg production to slow down and eventually stop. Most hens begin laying fewer eggs around 2-3 years old, but the exact timing can differ based on their breed, overall health, and where they live.

How to Help:

When a hen is too old to lay eggs, there are plenty of meaningful ways she can continue to be a valuable and cherished part of your flock. Here are some great options to consider:

1. Keep Her as a Pet
   Older hens often have calm and gentle personalities, making them delightful companions.
2. Put Her to Work in the Garden
   Hens are natural pest controllers, even in their golden years. Keep your hen to work in the garden by scratching at the soil, eating insects, and helping to reduce weeds. She’ll enjoy the enrichment of roaming around, and you’ll benefit from her hard work keeping pests at bay.
3. Allow Her to Mentor Younger Chickens
   Older hens have plenty of experience when it comes to flock life. They can play an important role as mentors for younger chickens, teaching proper flock behavior and helping newcomers settle in. A steady, mature hen can bring stability and leadership to the group.
4. Enjoy Her Fertilizer Contributions
   Even if she’s no longer laying, your hen is still producing nutrient-rich manure that can be composted and used to enrich your garden. Her waste, combined with bedding from the coop, will create an excellent source of organic matter to keep your plants healthy.

Older hens may not contribute to egg production anymore, but they’re far from “useless.” Their companionship, pest-control skills, teaching abilities, and even their role in sustainable gardening make them an invaluable part of a happy, healthy flock.

Reason #5. Poor nutrition

A balanced diet is key to helping hens lay strong, healthy eggs. When their diet is missing essential nutrients, it can take a toll on their egg production, leading to fewer or lower-quality eggs.

How to Help:

To keep your chickens laying eggs regularly, providing them with the right diet is essential. Here’s what you should include in their meals:

1. Layer Feed
   Layer feed is specially formulated for laying hens and contains the perfect balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals they need to consistently produce eggs. Aim for feed with around 16-18% protein to give your hens the energy and nutrients they need to stay healthy and maintain egg production.
2. Calcium Supplements
   Strong eggshells require calcium, so make sure your hens have plenty of it. You can provide crushed oyster shells or finely ground eggshells in a separate feeder for them to snack on as needed. Hens instinctively eat more calcium when their bodies require it for shell production.
3. Fresh Greens and Veggies
   Chickens love fresh vegetables and greens, and these also provide essential nutrients. Offer treats like spinach, kale, broccoli, and lettuce. These greens are high in vitamins, which help keep your chickens healthy and their eggs nutritious. Just avoid feeding too much spinach, as it can interfere with calcium absorption.
4. Protein Boosters
   Protein plays a key role in egg production. While layer feed already includes protein, you can give your hens an occasional boost with treats. Mealworms are especially loved by hens and make a great snack to keep their protein levels up.
5. Clean, Fresh Water
   Always ensure your chickens have access to clean, fresh water. Hydration is crucial for egg production, as eggs are made up of about 70% water. Stale or dirty water can discourage your hens from drinking enough, which can negatively impact their laying.

By offering this combination of consistent, high-quality layer feed, nutrient-rich supplements, and occasional healthy treats, you’ll provide your hens with everything they need to stay happy, healthy, and keep laying eggs.

Reason #6. Illness or injury

When chickens are sick or injured, their bodies naturally shift focus to healing, which often results in a pause in egg laying. To keep your flock healthy and productive, it’s essential to check them regularly for any signs of illness or injury.

How to Help:

When caring for a sick or injured chicken, taking the right steps can make all the difference in their recovery.

1. Isolate the Chicken
   The first thing to do is separate the sick or injured chicken from the rest of the flock. This helps prevent potential spread of illness and protects the injured bird from being pecked or bullied by other chickens. Place them in a clean, quiet space where they can rest undisturbed. We like to use a dog crate for our chickens with a bit of space to move around outdoors.
2. Assess the Symptoms
   Take time to closely observe your chicken for any visible signs of illness or injury. Look for symptoms like lethargy, loss of appetite, labored breathing, unusual droppings, or physical wounds. Checking for external parasites like mites or lice is also a good idea. Understanding what’s wrong will guide your next steps.
3. Offer Food and Fresh Water
   Ensure your chicken has easy access to clean, fresh water at all times. Dehydration can worsen their condition, so keeping them hydrated is vital. For food, offer a balanced and easy-to-digest diet, such as their regular feed supplemented with high-protein treats like scrambled eggs. If they’re not eating well, try enticing them with their favorite snacks or offering a mash made with feed and warm water.
4. Administer Any Necessary First Aid
   If there’s a visible injury, gently clean the wound with warm water and apply an antibacterial ointment (one without painkillers, as these can be harmful to chickens). For broken or sprained limbs, immobilize the area with a splint if possible. Always be gentle to avoid causing further harm.
5. Consult a Veterinarian
   For serious illnesses or injuries, it’s important to seek advice from an avian or livestock veterinarian. It’s true that most vets will not see chickens but they may offer help over the phone.

With some attention and care, many sick or injured chickens can make a full recovery.

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Reason #7. Broodiness

Certain chicken breeds, especially heritage ones, are more likely to go broody, which means they’ll settle onto a nest of eggs with the hope of hatching chicks. When a hen becomes broody, she puts all her focus on incubating the eggs and temporarily stops laying new ones until her broodiness fades.

How to Help:

Helping a broody hen stop her broodiness and start laying eggs again takes a bit of time and effort, but it’s definitely doable! Here are some effective steps to guide her:

1. Remove Her from the Nest
   Gently take your broody hen out of the nesting box to disrupt her instinct to sit on eggs. You may need to do this several times a day, as she might keep returning to the nest. Temporarily blocking off access to the nesting box can also help.
2. Collect Eggs Promptly
   Remove eggs from the nesting boxes as soon as possible to discourage her from sitting on them. A broody hen is triggered by the presence of eggs, so keeping the nests empty can reduce her broodiness.
3. Provide Distractions
   Give her something else to focus on. You can scatter some scratch grains, provide fun treats like mealworms, or set up a dust bath to entice her away from the nest. Spending time with the rest of the flock and engaging in normal chicken activities can help reset her behavior.
4. Create a Comfortable Environment
   Make sure she has access to ample space, fresh air, and sunlight. A broody hen often isolates herself, so encouraging her to roam with her flock and stay active can be effective. If she stays stubborn, placing her in a pen or coop without nesting boxes for a few days can help break the habit.
5. Cool Her Down
   Broodiness raises a hen’s body temperature slightly, so cooling her off can send signals that it’s time to stop. You can set up a shallow pan of cool water for her to wade in or increase airflow in the coop to help her stay comfortable. Be sure she’s not stressed during this process.
6. Support Her Nutritional Needs
   Because broodiness can take a toll on her energy and health, be sure she’s eating a balanced diet. Offer layer feed, fresh water, and high-protein treats to help her bounce back to her egg-laying routine.

By gently guiding her out of broodiness and allowing her to return to her normal behavior at her own pace, your hen will soon start laying eggs again.

Reason #8. Seasonal changes

Chickens, much like us, feel the effects of seasonal changes. Extreme weather, such as scorching heatwaves or freezing cold snaps, can disrupt their routines and cause them to temporarily stop laying eggs.

How to Help:

If your hen stops laying eggs due to changes in the weather, there are several ways you can help.

During Hot Weather:

1. Provide Shade and Ventilation
   Ensure your chickens have access to plenty of shaded areas, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Good airflow is essential, so open windows or vents in the coop to help keep it cool.
2. Offer Cool Water
   Always provide fresh, cool water. Water can heat up quickly in the sun, so check it regularly and refill it as needed. Adding ice cubes to their water can also help keep it cool.
3. Include Hydrating Treats
   Water-rich snacks like cucumbers, watermelon, or zucchini can help keep your hens hydrated while providing a nutritious treat.
4. Avoid Overcrowding
   Overcrowded spaces trap heat, increasing stress for your hens. Make sure your flock has enough room to relax comfortably and spread out.
5. Cool Down the Coop
   Set up fans in well-ventilated spots or use misters outside the coop to lower temperatures. Be sure any cooling methods are safe for the flock and don’t create damp conditions.

During Cold Weather:

1. Insulate the Coop
   Make the coop as draft-free as possible without compromising ventilation. Adding straw or other insulating materials can help trap heat, but avoid overheating as fresh air is crucial.
2. Serve Warm Treats
   Offering warm, cooked oatmeal or dried mealworms can give your hens extra energy on chilly mornings. Warm water mixed with their feed can also help during very cold days.
3. Boost Their Nutrition
   A balanced diet is crucial during winter. Ensure they’re getting enough protein to replenish what they need to stay warm and healthy, as chickens burn more calories in the cold.
4. Keep Water From Freezing
   Use heated waterers or check frequently to break and replace frozen water. Staying hydrated is just as important in the cold as it is in the heat.
5. Encourage Activity
   Keep your chickens active by scattering scratch grains or other safe foraging items in their run. Moving around helps them stay warmer and distracted from the cold.

With proper care, your hens will feel more comfortable facing extreme weather and should return to laying eggs once conditions improve.

More Winter Chicken Care:

• How to Keep Chickens Warm in Winter Without Electricity
• Caring for Chickens in the Winter
• How to Keep Eggs From Freezing in the Winter

It’s important to keep in mind that not all chickens will lay eggs consistently. Some breeds are known to be better layers than others, and individual hens within a breed may have varying egg production.

FAQ

1. When do chickens start laying eggs?

Most chickens start laying eggs when they’re about 18 to 24 weeks old, but this can vary depending on their breed and where they live. Some smaller breeds mature faster and begin earlier, while larger breeds might take a little longer.

To help your hens reach this stage, focus on giving them proper nutrition, plenty of daylight (around 14-16 hours), and a calm, stress-free home.

2. How do you know your chickens are ready to lay eggs?

When they’re ready to start laying, you’ll notice some telltale signs. Their comb and wattles will become redder, they’ll be more active, and they might start exploring the nesting boxes. These are exciting clues that fresh eggs are just around the corner! With a little care and patience, you’ll soon have happy hens and a steady supply of eggs.

As they continue to mature, their egg production will increase and peak at around 1-2 years of age. After that, it will gradually decline over time until the hen reaches the end of her laying cycle.

3. How long do chickens lay eggs?

On average, chickens will lay eggs for about 2-3 years before their egg production slows down significantly. Some breeds may continue to lay consistently for longer periods, while others may stop laying altogether after a few years.

Understanding the different reasons that can affect egg production in chickens is important for any backyard chicken owner.

By creating a comfortable and stress-free home, providing proper nutrition, and monitoring for any potential issues, you can help ensure that your hens lay eggs consistently and stay healthy.

More Chicken Tips to Read:

• How to Free Range Chickens
• Daily Chicken Chores
• How to Keep Chickens Disease-Free