Why have my hens stopped laying?
Egg production depends on daylight, nutrition, age, comfort and health. A change in any one can slow laying, and several often combine. Extension poultry specialists list shortening days, molting, poor feed, stress and disease among the usual reasons.
Before assuming illness, check the basics. Count how many hens you have, their ages, and when you last saw a drop, and think about anything that changed in the week before.
Remember too that a young pullet starting to lay will have a few irregular weeks. Pullets reach laying age at different times depending on breed and season, and those that mature in the fall may delay laying until days lengthen. Do not mistake a late start for a problem.
- Count and age your hens
- Note any recent changes
- Look for hidden nests before concluding they stopped
Does daylight matter?
Yes. Hens need long daylight to lay well, and production drops as days shorten in fall and winter. Many flocks naturally pause in winter, and some owners add light on a timer to extend the day.
If you add light, ask your extension office how to do it safely and how much is appropriate. Barn electrical work and heat lamps carry fire risk, so use equipment rated for the setting and have wiring checked.
- Consider whether it is simply winter
- Use timers rather than leaving lights on all night
- Keep fire safety first
Is she molting or just old?
Molting, the yearly replacement of feathers, usually happens in fall and stops laying while hens put energy into new feathers. You may see feathers scattered around the coop and thin patches on the birds. It is normal and temporary.
Age matters too. Hens lay best in their first couple of years and gradually slow afterward. A flock of older birds will lay fewer eggs than the same number of young ones.
If you want eggs through the year, keep a mixed-age flock and plan replacements before your best layers wind down. A trio of young birds added each spring keeps production steadier than waiting until every hen is old. Ask local rules and your extension office about adding birds safely, including a quarantine period for new arrivals.
- Feather loss with a pause in laying suggests molt
- Older flocks lay fewer eggs
- Plan to add young birds on a rotation if you want steady eggs
Is the feed right?
Laying hens need a complete layer feed, and treats, scratch and kitchen scraps should be a small part of the diet so they do not dilute it. Hens also need constant clean water, since a hen that goes without drinking will stop laying quickly.
Provide a separate source of calcium if recommended for your flock, and ask your extension office about suitable feed, since needs differ by bird type and age.
Pay attention to the feeder and waterer as well. Hens that cannot reach feed easily, or must compete with a dominant bird, may eat less than they need. Provide enough feeder and water space, keep both clean, and place them where they stay dry. A clogged or frozen waterer can lower laying within a day.
- Feed a complete layer ration
- Limit treats
- Keep water clean, cool in summer and thawed in winter
Could stress, predators or parasites be the cause?
Stress from dogs, rats, hawks, a new flock member, crowding or loud disturbances can stop laying for days or weeks. Heat is a major stressor, and hens often reduce laying in hot spells.
External parasites like mites and lice irritate birds, particularly at night, and ill birds lay less. Check birds, roosts and nest boxes in the evening, and clean and dry the coop regularly.
Heat and crowding often go together in summer, so check ventilation in the coop. Fresh air without drafts, dry bedding and enough roost and nest space reduce stress and parasite buildup. Gather eggs daily, since a broody hen sitting on a nest can also stop others from using it.
- Provide enough space per bird
- Secure the coop against predators
- Inspect birds for mites and lice
When is it an illness, and who should I call?
Call a veterinarian if hens show sudden drops along with coughing, sneezing, swelling, diarrhea, lethargy or deaths. Some poultry diseases are reportable and spread easily, so do not move or sell birds from a sick flock.
Biosecurity and reporting rules vary by state. Your state veterinarian or extension office can tell you what to do and where to submit a bird for testing.
Key takeaways
- Season, age, molt and feed explain most egg drops.
- Check daylight, water, feed, space and parasites before assuming illness.
- Use safe, rated equipment if you add supplemental light.
- Call your veterinarian or state veterinarian if birds are sick or dying.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.