Why Chickens Stop Laying Eggs
A hen that stops laying is almost always responding to one of nine things. Work through them in this order — the first three explain most cases.
1. Daylight (the most common cause)
Hens need roughly 14 hours of light to lay. Below that, the reproductive system shuts down. In temperate latitudes this happens naturally from late autumn.
It is light, not temperature. A hen in an unheated coop in a mild climate stops at the same time as one in a cold one.
Fix: add morning light on a timer to reach 14 hours. Morning rather than evening, so they roost naturally.
2. Moulting
Feathers are about 85% protein, and regrowing them takes everything a hen has. Expect 6–10 weeks with no eggs.
Fix: nothing — let it run. Raise protein to 18–20% to speed regrowth. Do not add light during a moult; it does not override the moult and stresses the bird.
3. Age
| Year | Share of peak laying |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100% |
| 2 | 80–85% |
| 3 | 65–70% |
| 4+ | 40% or less |
Fix: none. If you need the eggs, add pullets rather than trying to restore an old hen.
4. A hidden nest
If the eggs simply are not where you expect, this is the answer more often than any health problem. A hen with a secret nest can build up 15+ eggs.
Fix: watch where she disappears mid-morning and follow her. Check under sheds, in hedges and behind anything leaning against a wall.
5. Broodiness
A broody hen sits on the nest, puffs up when approached, and stops laying for about three weeks.
Fix: if you do not want chicks, block access to the nest box and cool her underside. Do not simply remove the eggs — she will keep sitting.
6. Protein too low
Layer feed is 16–18% protein. Too many scraps — especially bread — dilutes it and production falls.
Fix: keep scraps under 10% of the diet and make sure pellets are available all day.
7. Stress
- A predator visit, even without losses
- Moving to a new coop
- Crowding — under 2 sq ft per bird inside
- A new dog or a constantly disturbed flock
Fix: remove the stressor. Production usually resumes within 1–2 weeks.
8. Heat
Production drops above 30°C / 86°F. Hens eat less in heat, so they take in less protein and calcium.
Fix: shade, cool water, and feed in the early morning and evening when it is cooler.
9. Illness or parasites
Look for weight loss, pale comb, diarrhoea, or mites at the base of the feathers at night.
Fix: treat the specific problem. A hen that is ill will not lay regardless of everything else.
Common questions
Why did all my hens stop laying at once?
Almost always daylight or a shared stressor — a predator visit, a sudden cold snap, or a feed change. A single hen stopping points to age, broodiness or illness.
How long until they start again?
Light and stress: 1-3 weeks once fixed. Moult: 6-10 weeks. Age: never.
Do I need to add light in winter?
Not necessarily. A natural pause is healthier for the hen, and many keepers accept it. If you add light, do it in the morning and keep it consistent.
Can a hen stop laying and start again?
Yes. Winter pauses, moults and broodiness all end. Age-related decline does not reverse.
Full first-year guide with feeding amounts and winter care: Backyard Chickens for Beginners.
Disclosure: the link above is an affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you buy through it, at no extra cost to you.