Have you ever gone to your coop expecting eggs and found none? If you have, you’re wondering “why did my chickens stop laying eggs?”
Turns out, chickens can stop laying eggs for many reasons, and not all of them mean something is wrong. The reasons include shorter daylight, molting, heat, stress, age, broodiness, nutrition, illness, and even hidden nests can all cause egg production to decrease or stop.
Let’s dive deeper into why chickens stop laying eggs.
Why Are My Chickens Not Laying Eggs?
There are many different reasons why your chickens have stopped laying eggs. However, before you start troubleshooting, you need to determine if:
- The entire flock has stopped laying
- Egg production has simply decreased
If your entire flock has stopped laying:
You should consider
- The season
- Molting
- Heat/weather
- Feed/water
- Stress
If only one hen has stopped laying:
You should consider
- Broodiness
- Age
- Illness/injury
- Reproductive problems
- Parasites
While these aren’t the only reasons your girls will stop laying eggs, they are some of the major issues you will see.
Diagnostic Chart
| What you’re seeing | Most likely causes |
| Whole flock suddenly stopped | Heat, stress, daylight, feed/water |
| Stopped in late summer | Heat, molt, shortening days |
| Stopped in fall | Molting + shorter daylight |
| Stopped in winter | Short daylight |
| One hen stopped | Broodiness, age, illness |
| Feathers everywhere + no eggs | Molting |
| Hen sitting in nest all day | Broodiness |
| Hens look sick | Health/parasites |
| Hens look healthy but no eggs | Hidden nest, daylight, molt, age |
Table of Contents
- Why Are My Chickens Not Laying Eggs?
- 10 Reasons Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
- 10. Your Hens May Simply Be Taking a Break
- Why Did My Chickens Suddenly Stop Laying Eggs?
- Why Are My Chickens Not Laying in Summer?
- Why Are My Chickens Not Laying in Winter?
- How to Get Chickens to Lay Eggs Again
- When Should You Be Concerned That Your Chicken Isn't Laying?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts On Why Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
- More From The Farm
10 Reasons Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
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As I said before, there are lots of different reasons why a chicken will stop laying eggs. Let’s take a closer look at what could be going on with your flock.
I’ve experienced all of these situations at some point over the years that I’ve owned chickens.
Most of them are not necessarily a “problem”, they’re just a normal part of a chicken’s reproductive system.
Here are some of the major reasons why a chicken will stop laying eggs.
1. Shorter Days
Chickens will stop laying eggs in the winter. A chicken has a gland in their brain called the pineal gland. This gland senses light levels.
When the days are shorter, the chicken will produce less of the hormone that’s needed for egg laying.
This is part of a chicken’s natural reproductive system and isn’t a cause for concern. Raising chicks in winter isn’t ideal for her.
University extension information identifies decreasing day length as one of the major causes of reduced egg production.
You can place supplemental lighting in your coop to help with egg production. THIS is a great article on supplemental light.
However, I prefer to give my girls the natural rest that nature intended. It’s just a personal choice.
If a lot of your hens have stopped laying in fall or winter, daylight should be one of the first things you investigate.
2. Your Chickens Are Molting
Molting also happens in the fall and winter months. Molting is when a hen loses her feathers and regrows new ones for the winter.
Feathers can become very tattered and torn over the course of the year. Your chickens will shed the damaged feathers and regrow thick, nice ones for winter.
All of that feather growth requires a lot of her energy. She will not have a lot left to produce eggs.
During this time, your hen may stop laying eggs.
How long do chickens stop laying when molting?
Usually, a chicken will molt for around 4-16 weeks.
You can support your girls through molting by providing them with extra protein.
Also, don’t panic if you see a lot of feathers in and around your coop. It’s just a natural shed cycle for a chicken.
3. Extreme Heat Can Reduce Egg Production
Heat can reduce egg production during the summer months. Here in the Deep South, that is a big problem.
So why do chickens stop laying eggs in the summer?
There are several different reasons.
Heat can change the PH of their blood, which affects their body’s ability to absorb calcium. Hens need a lot of calcium to lay eggs, so they will have weak eggs or stop altogether.
A chicken will also consume less food when the weather is very hot. Digestion produces heat, which causes their body temperature to rise. In an effort to stay cool, they eat less. Less nutrition means fewer eggs.
When the weather is very hot, a chicken will use all of her energy to cool her body down. There will be no energy left to put into egg production.
Chickens will need a lot of water during very hot seasons. Dehydration can cause a hen to stop laying eggs.
If your chickens stop laying during hot weather, check:
- Shade-are you providing them with areas to escape the sun’s hot rays?
- Fresh water-Make sure your flock has plenty of cool, fresh water. Refill your waterers often.
- Airflow-Your coop should have adequate airflow. Chickens produce a lot of heat, and temperatures in the coop can rise fast.
- Feed intake-Provide plenty of feed for your flock to stay healthy.
- Crowding-Make sure your coop isn’t overcrowded. This can cause excess heat and stress on your flock.
- Parasites-Chickens can have both external and internal parasites that cause extra stress on their bodies. These parasites love warmer months.
- Signs of heat stress-If your flock is showing signs of heat stress, you need to take action to cool them off. Provide them with access to shade and cool water.
Learn more about heat strokes in chickens here!
4. Your Hens Are Too Old
At what age do chickens stop laying eggs? There really isn’t a specific age where they will suddenly stop laying.
However, their egg production will naturally slow down with time. Just like people, they have peak fertile ages and then a decline.
Hens usually start producing eggs at around 16-30 weeks old. They will produce steadily from that time until 18 months or 2 years old. After this period, they can start to decrease their egg laying.
Some breeds continue to produce consistently for many years. It really varies depending on the breed and the specific chicken.
I gave some Leghorn chicks to our local FFA program around 4 years ago. Those girls are still laying steadily all these years later.
Older hens will still lay eggs. However, they may lay fewer eggs or eventually stop altogether.
An older hen that stops laying doesn’t mean something is “wrong”. It’s just the natural end of her reproductive years.
She can still serve many purposes on your farm.
Learn more about how long chickens live!
5. Your Hen Has Gone Broody
If you’re noticing a decrease in egg production from a particular hen, you might have a broody hen that has stopped laying.
This is common among some breeds, especially in the spring.
When the days start getting longer, your girls may want to hatch some chicks.
You’ll notice her sitting on a clutch of eggs in the nesting box. She’ll have fluffed feathers when you approach her, and may be growling or pecking when you try to gather eggs.
A broody hen will stop laying because she wants to actually hatch eggs instead. Her hormones have told her to stop laying eggs because it’s time to be a mom.
If you don’t want her to hatch chicks, simply collect the eggs every day.
Some chicken keepers will place the hen in a wire crate for a couple of days to prevent her from sitting. Elevate the crate off the ground. This cools the underside of your belly, which decreases the broody hormone in her body.
Be sure to supply her with plenty of food and water when you do this.
I don’t personally use this method because I don’t mind my hens hatching a brood occasionally.
Also, my roll-out nesting boxes prevent a lot of broody behavior.
Check out why I love a broody hen, and how to care for a broody hen.
Also, if you’re interested in a sustainable flock, there are chicken breeds that tend to go broody more than others.
6. Stress Can Cause Chickens to Stop Laying
If a large portion of your flock has stopped laying, and it isn’t time for a molt or season change, stress could be the cause.
There are many external factors causing stress to your flock. If the stress is severe they hen’s body will release adrenaline and corticosterone, which makes ovulation stop.
The hen’s body will also use a lot of energy to cope with the stress, and will not have much left for egg laying.
Some of the common stressors are:
- Predators
- Moving the coop to a new location
- Introducing new chickens to the flock
- Bullying by other birds
- Constant noise
- Sudden, unseasonal weather changes
- Lack of food or water
- Overcrowding
If you think your flock is under a lot of stress, you may want to rule out the common causes.
Once the flock’s stress level is back to normal, she will start laying again.
7. Your Chickens Aren’t Getting the Right Nutrition
Nutrition is very important and might be the reason your chickens have stopped laying eggs.
If a chicken is not laying eggs, evaluate your feeding practices.
Hens that are in their reproductive years need extra calcium to make eggshells.
Your flock also needs protein to help make the egg itself. If they are in a time of molt, they need more protein to grow feathers.
While it’s ok to feed your flock some kitchen scraps, a diet made up of only scraps might not be sufficient enough for them.
Providing them with a complete layer feed will ensure they are getting the right ratios of protein, calcium, and fats they need to lay eggs.
Also, providing them with extra calcium like oyster shells is great. Be sure to provide the shells in a separate place apart from the feeder. They need to have free choice to eat them to ensure they aren’t getting too much.
Learn more about feeding chickens on a budget, what you should be feeding your chickens, protein sources for chickens, and more in my previous posts.
8. Your Chickens May Be Sick or Have Parasites
Parasites can be the reason your flock has stopped laying. Many different parasites can affect chickens.
Some of the common ones are mites and intestinal parasites.
Chickens will naturally dust bathe and preen to help prevent external parasites, but they can still infest your flock and cause a decrease in egg production.
Some common signs of a parasite problem:
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Pale comb
- Abnormal droppings
- Respiratory symptoms
- Swollen abdomen
- Poor appetite
- Persistent decline in production
If you think your flock is infested with parasites, there are many natural ways to treat them.
My favorite natural dewormer.
My favorite natural mite treatment.
Also, check out the best bedding for your chicken coop!
9. They’re Laying Eggs Somewhere Else
If you’re troubleshooting why your flock has stopped laying, and you can find any answers, your chickens might just be laying somewhere else.
Chickens, especially free-range chickens, will often find a cozy spot away from everyone else to lay their eggs.
I have discovered many hidden nesting sites around my yard over the years.
Some of their favorite spots to lay are:
- Under bushes
- In the barn hay
- Under your porch
- Under farm equipment
- Tall grass
- Hidden corners of the run
Before you jump to conclusions about why your flock has stopped laying, look around and consider they might just be laying somewhere else.
10. Your Hens May Simply Be Taking a Break
Most of us get chickens because we want to enjoy fresh eggs, but after owning them for a while, we gain a greater appreciation for them.
Sometimes, they might just be taking a break. They are living animals, not machines, and they have their own unique traits.
Sometimes, your hens will skip laying for a while, and there won’t be a reason at all.
Give your flock some time and go with the natural ebb and flow of their cycles.
The joy of owning chickens is far greater than the eggs you collect.
Why Did My Chickens Suddenly Stop Laying Eggs?
If your chickens “suddenly” stopped laying eggs, there is usually a direct cause.
Chickens will gradually decrease laying over time, but the change shouldn’t be sudden.
If your flock has suddenly stopped laying, consider the following causes:
- Heat
- Predator scare
- Water
- Feed
- Stress
- Broodiness
- Hidden eggs
- Illness
A sudden flock-wide drop is generally a cause for concern and should be addressed.
Why Are My Chickens Not Laying in Summer?
If your chickens stop laying during the summer months, the most likely cause is heat stress.
Chickens use a lot of energy staying cool, and will not have enough left for egg production.
They will also require more water and can become dehydrated easily.
The reasons most chickens stop laying in the summer are:
Heat, dehydration, reduced appetite, stress, or early molt.
Consider these causes first in the summer.
Why Are My Chickens Not Laying in Winter?
If your chickens have stopped laying during the winter, the most likely cause is the shorter days.
When the daylight hours are shorter, the chicken does not produce the hormones needed to lay eggs. It’s God’s way of saying that chicks in winter are not a good idea.
Also, the fall molt might be overlapping the winter months. Growing feathers requires a lot of the protein needed to lay eggs.
If you want to increase egg production in the winter months, try adding an artificial light to the coop. This will help stimulate the flock to lay more.
How to Get Chickens to Lay Eggs Again
If your flock has stopped laying eggs, here are some steps you can take to help determine the cause and a potential treatment if necessary.
- Step 1: Check daylight
- Step 2: Check feed
- Step 3: Check water
- Step 4: Look for signs of molt
- Step 5: Look for broodiness
- Step 6: Check for stress
- Step 7: Check for parasites/illness
- Step 8: Look for hidden nests
- Step 9: Consider age
- Step 10: Give them time
When Should You Be Concerned That Your Chicken Isn’t Laying?
If your hen has suddenly stopped laying, while it could be a minor issue, it could also mean that she has some health concerns.
Pay close attention to your hen and note the following symptoms:
- A hen stops laying AND appears sick
- She is losing weight
- She is lethargic
- She has abnormal droppings
- She has difficulty breathing
- She has a swollen abdomen
- She is straining
- The change is severe and unexplained
If you see any signs of illness in your hen, it’s important to get treatment from a veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my chickens suddenly stop laying eggs?
If your chickens “suddenly” stopped laying eggs, there is usually a direct cause. Causes include heat, predator scare, water, feed, stress, broodiness, hidden eggs, and illness.
Why did my hen stop laying eggs?
If only one hen has stopped laying, you should consider broodiness, age, illness/injury, and reproductive problems.
Do chickens stop laying eggs when they molt?
Molting also happens in the fall and winter months. Molting is when a hen loses her feathers and regrows new ones for the winter. All of that feather growth requires a lot of her energy. She will not have a lot left to produce eggs.
How long do chickens stop laying eggs when molting?
Usually, a chicken will molt for around 4-16 weeks.
Do chickens stop laying eggs in winter?
If your chickens have stopped laying during the winter, the most likely cause is the shorter days. When the daylight hours are shorter, the chicken does not produce the hormones needed to lay eggs.
Why do chickens stop laying eggs in summer?
If your chickens stop laying during the summer months, the most likely cause is heat stress. Chickens use a lot of energy staying cool, and will not have enough left for egg production.
What age do chickens stop laying eggs?
Hens usually start producing eggs at around 16-30 weeks old. They will produce steadily from that time until 18 months or 2 years old. After this period, they can start to decrease their egg laying.
How do I get my chickens to lay eggs again?
If your flock has stopped laying eggs, here are some steps you can take to help determine the cause and a potential treatment if necessary.
Check daylight, feed, water, signs of molt, broodiness, stress, parasites/illness, hidden nests, and consider their age.
Can stress make chickens stop laying eggs?
There are many external factors causing stress to your flock. If the stress is severe the hen’s body will release adrenaline and corticosterone, which makes ovulation stop.
Can chickens stop laying eggs because of their diet?
Hens that are in their reproductive years need extra calcium to make eggshells.
Your flock also needs protein to help make the egg itself. If they are in a time of molt, they need more protein to grow feathers.
Final Thoughts On Why Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
If your chickens stop laying eggs, it’s not a cause for immediate concern. Chickens have changing seasons and cycles just like us.
If your chickens have stopped laying, consider the season, daylight, molting, heat, stress, nutrition, age, broodiness, and health.
Start with the most obvious changes in the flock. What change happened right before the laying stopped?
The key is to pay attention to your flock and look for changes in their environment, behavior, and health.
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More From The Farm
If you’re thinking about raising chickens for fresh eggs, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is, “How many chickens do I actually need?”
The answer to that question isn’t as cut and dry as you might think. Keep reading to find out how many chickens I need for eggs.
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