Why have my hens suddenly stopped laying?
A drop in eggs is a clue to investigate, not a diagnosis. Start with what changed: new birds, a pen move, heat, feed, water access, daylight, broodiness or moult. Check for hidden nests and egg losses before assuming production has stopped.
Check essentials first
Test drinkers rather than looking at the reservoir alone. Open the feeder and check that feed reaches the tray. Observe whether quieter hens can eat. Inspect nests and shelter for disturbance, dampness or parasites.
Compare records
Write daily egg numbers alongside hen count. A pen with fewer hens naturally produces fewer eggs. Record unusual weather and management changes, then look at several days together. A brief fluctuation is different from an ongoing fall with weight loss or illness.
Escalate health concerns
If egg decline occurs with respiratory signs, diarrhoea, weakness, shell abnormalities or deaths, contact a vet. Do not respond by cycling through wormers, antibiotics and supplements. Multiple sick or dead birds may require biosecurity reporting as well as veterinary help.
Next step: use the egg and feed trackers together. The useful question is what changed at the same time, not which single ingredient promises more eggs.
Further reading: University of Minnesota Extension - Raising chickens for eggs. General education, checked 18 October 2026. This article is not veterinary diagnosis or a treatment prescription.