No eggs – anywhere. And I was collecting six eggs a day until three days ago. They laid right through the deep freeze. So I know the chickens are laying somewhere.
You know what this means right.
The little buggers are laying elsewhere, probably UNDER the boxes and at this time of year and with me so short handed (as in the only hand) the litter under there is deep. So it is hard to see if they are making nests under there.
But we know they have not been coming out until yesterday because the chooks hate snow.
So the eggs are in there somewhere. The only option is a snake and I don’t have one. Or a very fat raccoon but I would see footprints. Or Boo?
Wai has ventured forth.
So today – I am going to pull all the straw and leaves from under the laying boxes and see if they are nesting in behind there. The rogues.
I hope I do find the eggs or we have an even bigger mystery on our hands!
Grubbling around on the chook house floor peering under the laying boxes looking for old eggs. OH THE JOY!
Good morning.
I am back in from chores and there are no old eggs anywhere in the chook house. And I cleaned under the beating boxes – nothing there.
Are they laying in here? (Below) That would be bad!
This machine shed has way too many hiding places. And so. The plot thickens.
Writing days ahead – I will see you on Sunday afternoon with my Letter Sustainable Sunday. (This link takes you to last Sunday’s letter).
TKG Take Ten. Chore Time. Pop in and watch 10 minutes of the barn as I work. Remember this is a great musical score for a daily chore of your own. Lean on the gate and let your thoughts drift. Relax somewhere else for 10 minutes. We all deserve the break.
Take care. See you this afternoon at TKG Take Ten – don’t forget to sign up there then I will send the Sustainable Sunday letter straight to your inbox.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
26 responses to “When there are no eggs three days running”
When hens stop laying eggs in the winter, it is usually due to a combination of factors such as **decreased daylight hours**, **molting**, **colder temperatures**, **lack of food sources**, and **no breeding season** ². Chickens need **14-16 hours of light per day** to lay eggs, and as fall and winter arrive, the days become shorter, which causes a decrease in egg production ⁵. Additionally, chickens grow new feathers during wintertime, which can also cause them to stop laying eggs ².
However, it is possible to keep chickens laying eggs during the winter months by providing them with additional lighting, a special feed, and ensuring that their basic needs are being met ¹. It is important to note that forcing hens to lay eggs during the winter months can be damaging to their bodies, and it is recommended to let nature take its course and allow the hens to rest ¹. If you decide to let nature take its course and not force your hens to lay during the winter months, make sure you read how to preserve your eggs during the summer months so you have a supply for the winter months ¹.
Source: Conversation with Bing, 1/26/2024
(1) Why Are My Chickens Not Laying Eggs in the Winter?. https://bing.com/search?q=hens+stop+laying+eggs+in+winter.
(2) Do Chickens Lay Eggs in the Winter? – Audrey’s Little Farm. https://audreyslittlefarm.com/do-chickens-lay-eggs-in-the-winter/.
(3) Chapter Two: How To Keep Chickens Laying Eggs During Winter. https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/the-definitive-guide-to-keeping-chickens-in-winter-chapter-two/.
(4) Keeping Chickens Laying During Winter: The Beginner’s Guide. https://www.chickensandmore.com/keeping-chickens-laying-during-winter/.
(5) Why Do Hens Stop Laying During the Winter? – The Pioneer Chicks. https://www.thepioneerchicks.com/winter-egg-production-in-backyard-chickens/.
Thank you John. And good morning! Great resources!
The chickens are actually lit in the daytime especially across this gloomy period. I have a feeling it is fall out from the deep freeze. We will know in a few days!
You’re Entirely Welcome! Here’s
Another Tidbit:
Chickens have keen hearing and can hear a wide range of sounds, including vocalizations and noises that serve various purposes in their social and survival behaviors ¹. While scientific research on whether chickens actually like music is limited, anecdotal evidence suggests that chickens might have an affinity for music ¹. Some chicken owners have reported that playing soft, melodic tunes in the coop made chickens appear more relaxed and less prone to pecking or aggression ¹. Additionally, studies have shown that not only do chickens like all kinds of music, but they especially prefer classical tunes ³. Music resulted in hens gravitating to their nesting boxes 159 percent more when the music was playing, and classical music even showed a 6 percent increase in laying ³. So, it seems that chickens do like music and it might have a calming effect on them ¹²³.
A Bit of Bach, perhaps?
I hope this helps!
Source: Conversation with Bing, 1/26/2024
(1) Do Chickens Like Music? – The Happy Chicken Coop. https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/do-chickens-like-music/.
(2) Do Chickens Like Music? Vet-Reviewed Auditory Science. https://petkeen.com/do-chickens-like-music/.
(3) Do Chickens Like Music? [Do They React Or Lay More Eggs?] – Pet Educate. https://peteducate.com/do-chickens-like-music/.
(4) What music do chickens like? – Coalition Brewing. https://www.coalitionbrewing.com/what-music-do-chickens-like/.
The pigs had a sit down with all the chickens and they formed a rogue band so now the laying happens in only pig approved hidden spots… I just wonder if it was Jude or Tima who was the mastermind behind the plot 😉
There may very well be something behind your theory!!
Nothing surprises me with those pigs 🙂
Oh dear…..no eggs!……
I know. No eggs. No breakfast!!
Exactly…..
‘Tis the time of year! Those hens get stingy.
But light will soon return.
They are lit. For 12 hours in the daytime. What is odd is that they had already returned to laying. I have a feeling it was that cold snap. For ALL the chickens to quit at the same time is actually rare here. so I am hoping the warm up will help. We will know in 26 hours!
Good luck!
Hoping you solve the mystery and they begin laying again
The mystery of the missing eggs thickens. Could something be consuming them? I know nothing about chickens. Are they temperamental? No judgement on them, but they seem like they would be!
Perhaps they’ve done a deal with Tima!
Wai look a bit happier today.
Good morning Wai. Pleased to see you. And those chickens maybe you could show Celi where they are laying their eggs. As you can see, I know nothing about pigs or chickens
I have one hen in particular, (Ursula), who periodically decides the nest boxes are no good. I have to be a real sleuth then. It’s amazing the places she manages to get in to.
We introduced two new pullets a couple of days ago. The older birds are Not Happy and regularly go and beat them up for no visible reason. One is especially bad. She was so intent on keeping an eye on them that she laid her egg right out in the middle of the chook yard. It was a monster, too, so I’m glad I found it shortly after she did the deed. It’s very hot here (41C/105F), so production has been down a bit, but will pick up as the weather cools.
Anyone who says chooks are sweet has never kept them.😂
No, they’re mini-raptors dress in fluffy outfits.
😂🤭
We have 9 hens that we got early last spring and have not gotten any eggs from them until we completely took them off of all store bought feed and they have been eating corn off the cob that we were able to pick out of field and have been free ranging but locked up at night and since we have stopped buying anything store bought we have been getting between 6-7 eggs a day and they look more healthy than ever and are thriving.
It is true! And welcome! I am lucky that we grow organic small grains. So we are never short of seed. And they can free range. We discovered that it was a possum stealing the eggs. Tricky fellow. You are getting lots of eggs! That is great!
Thank you! Opossums are definitely sneaky and tricky but egg thief is my dogs lol.
That is funny! I had to put a board across the door because we have another egg thief who is a pig!
Just have Chicken for Breakfast