What to Do if My Pullets Have Stopped Laying

As more Americans turn to sustainable and chemical-free foods, the keeping of laying hens, or pullets, is increasingly being embraced by those far removed from the farming way of life. Many municipalities allow the keeping of chickens in backyard coops. While fresh eggs are a nutritious food, it isn't a given that laying hens will produce. Some human monitoring is required to watch for signs that hens may be in distress.

  1. Need for Light

    • Egg-laying hens require at least 16 hours of light exposure per day to maintain production. If your pullet hens are not laying eggs, your first step is to determine whether they are experiencing adequate daily light exposure. This can be accomplished via a combination of sunlight and artificial light if necessary. Installing a 40-watt light bulb for every 100 feet of chicken coop and setting this on a timer will ensure your laying hens have enough light.

    Proper Nutrition

    • Laying an egg is work and requires a very delicate nutritional balance - especially in terms of proper protein intake. Hens also need daily calcium to avoid bone loss. While it is tempting to give hens table scraps, it is not advised. Hens need food specifically targeted to their nutritional needs and human table scraps basically are their equivalent of junk food. Constant access to water is also essential for consistent egg laying. If your hens aren't laying eggs and they have plenty of light exposure, then taking a look at their diet is your next step in resolving the issue.

    Disease

    • Hens stricken with disease aren't going to lay eggs. New adult hens should never be brought into the flock without first undergoing a quarantine period to verify they are disease free. Keeping the chicken coop dry is the best way to prevent the spread of various parasites include coccidia which causes bloody fecal droppings and dehydration. If light and diet aren't causing the drop in egg production, talk with your veterinarian about a flock health program.

    Stress

    • Again, as egg production is a laborious effort, it is best accomplished in peace and quiet with a high level of hen comfort. Loud noises, excessive human interaction and threatening predators can each cause a hen to stop laying eggs. While chickens are fascinating to young children, it is best to keep them away from the coop. If your hens aren't laying, you should assess the location of their coop and determine if they need a more peaceful setting.

    Age

    • As with any living creature, age also takes its toll on the laying hen. As she becomes older, her productivity diminishes. Most hens will efficiently produce eggs for two laying cycles of somewhere between 50 and 60 weeks each. If your laying hens are older, it may be time to replace them.

    Molting

    • Female chickens also experience molting or the dropping of feathers anywhere between 10 and 14 weeks into egg production. This is natural and a time for the hen to rest. She will begin producing again after molting is completed. If egg production has dropped about three to four months into the laying cycle, examine your coop for additional feathers. Your birds might be molting.