Why do my chickens lay fewer eggs?

Do you wonder why your chickens lay fewer eggs? These are six reasons that can explain why your egg basket is a little lighter than usual.

1. Less sunlight

During the late autumn and winter months, hens lay fewer eggs, mainly because of the decreasing sunlight during this period. Chickens need 14 to 16 hours of sunlight every day to lay eggs regularly. Egg production in laying hens usually increases again at the beginning of February.

2. Brooding time

Brooding hens are determined to sit on a few eggs (or an empty nest) for a few weeks. Signs that you may have a brooding hen are the refusal to leave the nest, obvious dissatisfaction when you come near her nest, and a bald belly.

3. Moulting period

Moulting chickens lay fewer or no eggs. After all, growing new feathers requires a lot of protein and resources. Be patient. The eggs will come back when your chickens need less energy and resources to grow their feathers.

In the meantime, you can relieve the moulting stress by giving high-protein feed and adding delicacies like mealworms and sunflower seeds. If possible, give your chickens a free range, so that they can find protein-rich insects.

4. Stress

Stress can affect the number of eggs you can collect from the henhouse. What are other causes of stress, apart from the moulting? The introduction of new chickens in the flock, a heat wave, predators in the area, a loud thunderstorm, a move, busyness and insufficient food.

Avoid feeding stress in the first place by offering calcium from supplements like ground egg shells or ground oyster shells. Grit and fresh water are essential for their digestion. A balanced diet also includes fresh vegetables, if available.

5. Illness

Disease, an egg that is stuck, and parasites can also reduce the number of eggs that a chicken lays. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

6. Age

Usually hens lay eggs during their first five to seven years of life. Older chickens lay less regularly, but can still treat you to an egg from time to time!