Wanted Please - Harrogate / York / Leeds area

[AnnwithoutanE]

Hi

One of chickens stopped laying last November as normal. in Feb/March she laid 2 eggs and stopped never to lay again. She is only 2 years old how can I persuade to start laying once more.

In all other respects all seems well, she is eating and drinking fine, there does not seem to be any problem with walking, running or scratching the garden to bits!!!! Is she just a freeloader?

 

Thanks for any help at all

Ann

[chickyhazel]

Some hybrids do stop laying at about that age. Most only have a lifespan of 2-4 years and stop laying a while before they pass away. Purebreds generally live longer than hybrids but that is not always the case. But don't worry, just because she has stopped laying doesn't mean she is going to die. Some chickens just lay for a year or two and then live for ages not laying. They are freeloaders through and through!

[ubereglu]

Have you checked around the garden if you're allowing them to free range?

 

Egg numbers will drop as hens get older and it's not unusual for hens to stop laying relatively young. Starlet who is nearly 5 stopped laying last July and she is now nearly 5 years old. Did you used to lay very often, eg nearly everyday? As it may just be that she simply has run out of eggs.

[AnnwithoutanE]

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

She was a really good layer up until the end of last year – almost 1 per day.

This year after the winter blues we have had just 2 eggs and then nothing more.

I have looked all around the garden and under all the bushes but nothing at all.

She is only just over 2 years old and I thought that it was a little bit early to become a free-loader!!

 

Regards

Ann