Hens, & Cold Weather

Barewolf · 18-11-2010, 10:36

Hi

Recently I built a large aviary, some of the regular posters would have seen my posts.

I'm basically at a loss of what to do here, because my hens have stopped laying eggs since i introduced them to their new enclosure.

Im thinking its the cold weather, or perhaps because ive upset their enviroment.?

can anyone give me some advice?

**Derek** · 18-11-2010, 10:59

200 degrees for a couple of hours should work wonders.

Seriously though how long have they been not laying? If it's just a week or so I'd blame it on a combination of the stress of environment change and weather. Are there any other symptoms from any of them?

**Kymmy** · 18-11-2010, 11:00

Hen's often stop laying when in a new surrounding, did you keep them on their usual food (the supplier should have given you some or at least told you what it was)

You are though correct in that cold weather also reduces the egg laying..

Do a quick google search as there's lots of advice out there for keeping hens during winter including ideas such as using lights to extend their laying day..etc..

DaiNasty · 18-11-2010, 11:14

Are they moulting? Shorter days can trigger feather loss and they normally stop laying while they're moulting.

Barewolf · 18-11-2010, 11:30

only thing i have noticed is one of them sneezed, but she didnt look ill. they seem happy enough, but obviously theres no eggs.

ive only had chickens for about 4 months, so im a bit of a noob

soup dragon · 18-11-2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barewolf

only thing i have noticed is one of them sneezed, but she didnt look ill.

bird flu!!!!!

Barewolf · 18-11-2010, 13:50

lol bird flu, goty me thinking now.

progers · 18-11-2010, 14:10

According to The Edwardian Farm on BBC2 last night, you need to feed them particularly well during the winter or they stop laying eggs.

Look on BBC iPlayer for episode 2, they made a special feed

DaiNasty · 18-11-2010, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barewolf

lol bird flu, goty me thinking now.

Hehe, don't panic. They mostly go off lay in the colder, darker months. Some go off gradually, others stop abruptly. You can fool them sometimes by rigging up lighting in the hen house.

By the way, have they got plenty of water? I could hardly believe how much my daughter's hens used to drink.

Barewolf · 18-11-2010, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

Hehe, don't panic. They mostly go off lay in the colder, darker months. Some go off gradually, others stop abruptly. You can fool them sometimes by rigging up lighting in the hen house.

By the way, have they got plenty of water? I could hardly believe how much my daughter's hens used to drink.

god yes, they drink more than me on a friday night.

still no eggs by the way but at least im not going quakers

Pog66 · 18-11-2010, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barewolf

god yes, they drink more than me on a friday night.

so do YOU drink water on a friday night....or are the hens on Stella?

**Rob** · 18-11-2010, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barewolf

still no eggs by the way but at least im not going quakers

Are you sure your hens don't have webbed feet

j52c · 18-11-2010, 19:49

My father kept hens, geese and turkeys when I was young and lived at home, my brother bred Bantam Cocks, not going to say what for, my brother stills owns the land but doesn't do much with it now, only keeps his hens and geese.

We always had a cock in with the hens, it didn't matter about is loud crowing in the mornings because they were not near any houses, hens like to have a cockerel with them, nudge, nudge.

Put plenty of clean straw in their sleeping quarters and always check each day just in case they have laid any eggs in there, they could also be laying outside but you have not found them.

It is normal for them to stop laying for short periods.