Why Did My Chickens Stop Laying Eggs?

Your hens were keeping the egg basket full. Now you’re checking the nesting boxes and finding almost nothing.

Before you blame the feed, take a look at the calendar.

☀️ Shorter days matter

Egg production responds to daylight. As Utah’s days get shorter, hens may slow down or stop laying, especially without supplemental lighting.

🪶 Molting takes energy

Replacing feathers is a normal process, and hens often reduce or pause egg production during their molt.

💧 Check the basics

Make sure your flock has consistent access to clean water and a complete feed appropriate for their life stage. Interruptions in either can affect laying.

🐔 Age matters, too

Older hens generally lay fewer eggs than younger hens.

A seasonal slowdown can be normal. But a sudden drop accompanied by poor appetite, lethargy, or other signs of illness deserves closer attention.

Source: Oregon State University Extension