miserable hens :(,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[murphyslaw]

Have had 4 hens and have all been laying regularly. However, for the last 2 weeks we have not had 1 single egg!

They seem to be moulting quite a lot and their feathers look quite pale.

Any suggestions?

It is almost winter, as the days get shorter they will lay less. We are getting 1-2 eggs per day from our 3 hens at the moment.

Should have seen our sad, wet, straggly, muddy chickens today; I thought they were supposed to stay under cover when it rains?

Do check the house for red mites too just in case though. That will also affect laying and feathers.

Our hens also are moulting and have stopped laying. It's natural - their bodies can't do eggs and make lovely new feathers at the same time. They'll come back into lay once they've finished moulting.

If they're hybrids they might lay sooner. Purebreeds may not lay until spring.

Our lovely ladies have worked hard for us and need a rest now.

You could try putting lifeguard tonic in their water or giving them a bit of tuna to eat to give them a boost. The forum on omlet has a few tips on caring for chickens through moult.

Agree with bramble

Thanks so much - didnt know chickens could eat Tuna!