12 reasons your hens aren’t laying eggs in the winter
Author: Esther Donohue
Winter can cause a slowdown in egg production, but understanding the reasons behind it can help you get your hens back to laying fresh eggs.
If you’ve noticed a dip in egg production as the cold weather settles in, you’re not alone. Many chicken keepers face this challenge during the winter months, but the good news is that most of the reasons behind this decline are natural, and with a little knowledge and care, you can keep your hens happy and produce eggs all winter.
From reduced daylight to cold stress and even molting, there are a variety of factors that can impact egg laying. In this post, I will explore the 12 most common reasons your hens may stop laying eggs in the winter and offer tips to help you get your backyard flock back on egg duty.
Let’s dive in and make sure your chickens stay productive during the colder months!
Why do we want our hens to lay all winter?
Since my family and I live in a very cold climate, North Dakota it seems half our year is winter. So there are a few factors that made the decision for us.
- 1. We use a lot of eggs in our household.
- 2. The main reason for having chickens is to have a steady supply of fresh eggs.
- 3. A chicken’s life is short… they only lay eggs for 3-4 years if you’re lucky and dramatically slow down after that.
- 4. Our chickens serve a purpose and they are not pets, even if we treat them very well, an animal without a purpose on a homestead is just a money pit, using your money and not giving anything back.
- 5. EVERYTHING ON OUR HOMESTEAD HAS TO HAVE A PURPOSE.
Some people decide to allow their hens to naturally rest, and that’s okay also. But that doesn’t work for our homestead.
How we get our hens to lay eggs all winter
Our winters are cold and long here in North Dakota, so when we established our first flock my husband built a garden shed, that would be insulated and tinned both on the inside and outside.
We added two windows with screens that could be opened for ventilation.
When winter starts rearing its nasty head and temperatures dip into the mid 20’s our hens get locked inside their coop.
The coop has two light bulbs for light that are left on all day, I need to install a timer for next winter. We also heat the coop with two heat bulbs, during the cold months.
If we didn’t have a heat source the eggs would be frozen solid in a matter of minutes. Our North Dakota winters are cold.
A major summer project is to enclose a part of the chicken run so my hens have more room during the winter to stretch their legs.
By adding the light and heat we get about 2 1/2 to 3 dozen eggs per day. We even over winter the ducks, but they are so messy.
Common reasons chickens stop laying eggs during the winter
Here are the common reasons we discovered that affect chickens and will cause major issues when it comes to egg laying.
1.Reduced Daylight Hours
Shorter Days and Lack of Light.
One of the most common reasons for fewer eggs in winter is the shorter days. With fewer daylight hours, your chickens’ pineal gland reduces the production of melatonin, impacting their laying cycle.
This means you may see fewer eggs or no eggs at all, especially if your backyard chickens don’t have access to supplemental light. We have a light bulb in the coop and that’s all we need to keep our hens laying all winter.
Here are the reasons why they need artificial light.
- Hens require 12–16 hours of light daily to sustain egg production.
- Shorter days in winter can disrupt their laying cycle.
- Consider providing supplemental light to mimic longer days, such as a light bulb in the chicken coop.
2. Natural Molting Process
Molting has a major effect ton egg production, read my blog post about molting and how to help your chickens recover faster.
Molting greatly effects egg production. If your chickens are going through a fall molt, they will shed old feathers and grow new feathers, which can temporarily halt egg production. This natural process is a sign that your chickens are focusing their energy on feather regrowth, not laying eggs.
Why it effects egg laying.
- Hens shed old feathers and grow new ones during molt, diverting energy from egg production.
- Molting typically occurs in the fall and can last several weeks.
- Allowing hens to complete this process naturally can lead to healthier birds, but you can offer supplemental care to help them recover faster.
3. Cold Temperatures and Cold Stress
Cold Weather and Cold Temperatures really affect our chickens here in North Dakota, so we have to offer supplemental heat in our chicken coop, I don’t recommend this to everyone.
Our temperatures dip into the negatives…. negative -50 with wind chill, so our hens need heat so eggs are not frozen and they are not stressed.
Chickens can handle cold much better than heat.
Cold temperatures can cause cold stress in your chickens. Chickens need to stay warm to maintain egg production. Body heat can be lost through the coop’s walls or if they’re not properly insulated, leading to a decline in egg production.
It’s a good idea to ensure the chicken coop is draft-free and that the chickens have access to fresh water and layer feed.
Keep these factors in mind.
- Cold stress affects hens’ health and laying frequency.
- Ensure the chicken coop is well-insulated and draft-free.
- Provide fresh water and consider using infrared heat lamps on extremely cold days.
4. Stress from Environmental Factors
Stress and health issues are also other reasons your chickens will stop laying eggs during winter months and at any point in the year.
Chickens are sensitive animals and stress—whether from predators, poor social status in the flock or environmental factors—can easily halt or slow down egg production.
If your backyard flock is under stress, such as being exposed to, predators, wild birds, extreme heat or cold, their reproductive system can be compromised.
A healthy hen requires lots of energy to maintain egg-laying consistency, so make sure your hen’s diet is high in protein and rich in calcium supplements, such as oyster (eggshells) shells, to support healthy eggshell formation.
Make sure to:
- Check for signs of predators.
- Maintain a calm environment in the coop.
- Ensure proper ventilation and space for all hens.
5. Inadequate Nutrition
Poor nutrition is also a major cause of slowing egg laying.
A balanced diet is crucial for your chickens to maintain consistent egg production. A lack of extra protein, insufficient calcium supplements, or poor nutrition can lead to fewer eggs.
Make sure you are feeding them a high-quality complete layer feed, which provides the right mix of nutrients for egg production.
Make sure your hens are getting :
- A balanced diet rich in protein, calcium, and vitamins is essential.
- Supplementing with oyster shells provides necessary calcium for eggshell strength.
- Providing sunflower seeds can offer additional nutrients and energy.
6. Age of the Hens
The age of your hens is a major reason for slowing egg production, this is the reason we purchase chicks or hatch new eggs every year, we like to rotate our flock quickly so we always have a steady supply of eggs.
Older hens naturally lay fewer eggs, and by the time they reach 2–3 years old, you may notice a drop in production.
Some chicken breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Plymouth Rock are known for laying more consistently, but all hens will slow down as they age.
Keep these in mind:
- Older hens (typically over 2 years) may lay fewer eggs.
- Henopause refers to the decline in laying as hens age.
- Introducing young hens can help maintain consistent egg production.
7. Health Issues and Parasites
If your hens are struggling with external parasites or internal parasites, they will slow down or completely stop laying eggs.
Look for any injuries or sickness in your flock also.
Find out how to search for lice, mites, and fleas in your chicken flock. If they happen to have an external parasite problem they will become stressed and stop laying.
- Regularly check for external parasites like mites and lice.
- Monitor for signs of internal parasites and consult a vet if needed.
- Ensuring overall chicken health which is important for optimal egg laying.
8. Breed-Specific Laying Patterns
Certain breeds are better egg layers than others. Most chicken breeds will lay eggs every other day, some breeds like the White Leghorn will produce a egg everyday.
A few factors to research before buying certain breeds:
- Some breeds, like Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rock, are more cold-hardy and may lay better in winter.
- Dual-purpose breeds may have varying laying patterns.
- Researching your hens’ breed can set realistic egg production expectations.
9. Broody Behavior
If your hen is going through a broody phase she will stop laying eggs, learn about broody hen signs and how to care for them, in my broody hen care guide.
This is rare in the winter months but it can still happen.
- A broody hen stops laying to incubate eggs.
- This behavior is influenced by breed and environmental cues.
- Managing broody hens involves providing appropriate nesting boxes and, if necessary, separating them temporarily.
10. Not using enough Artificial Lighting
Inconsistent Day Length While the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, your chickens are most affected by the drop in hours of daylight.
If you’re relying on artificial lighting to extend their laying hours, ensure that you are using a light bulb that provides enough light to mimic longer daylight hours.
- Artificial lighting can extend laying periods by simulating longer days.
- Use light bulbs that provide the appropriate spectrum and intensity.
- Be cautious of potential health impacts on hens with prolonged artificial lighting.
11. Predators
Predators can cause a lot of stress for your chickens. Everything is a predator to a chicken, make sure you build a predator-safe chicken coop.
We had a rat problem one winter and it was awful, they chewed through the walls and were killing chickens while they roosted.
If your chickens are feeling unsafe or threatened, they’ll conserve energy rather than lay eggs
Check for signs of a predator:
- Chew marks or holes in walls
- Chickens missing feathers or bite marks
- Blood on feathers or legs
- Uneasiness in the flock
12. Lack of Movement
During the winter months, chickens often become less active due to cold weather.
If they’re not getting enough exercise or free range, their overall health and egg production can suffer.
Make sure to provide them with opportunities for movement, even if it’s within the confines of a chicken coop or covered area. I have seen people enclose the chicken run with tarps or tin during the winter.
Other questions about egg production
If you’re struggling to pinpoint the root cause of your hen’s decrease in egg production during the winter months, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m more than happy to help you troubleshoot and find a solution.
Sometimes, hens simply need a rest, and other times there might be no clear answer, in which case the chicken may need to be culled.
One thing I’ve seen time and again is people purchasing adult chickens from auctions, advertised as under two years old, only to later discover they’re much older and no longer laying eggs. To avoid this situation, always buy from reputable breeders who can give you the true age and history of the hens.
By addressing these factors, you can help maintain egg production throughout the winter and keep a steady supply of fresh eggs from your backyard flock.
Commonly asked questions
Why are my hens not laying eggs in winter?
There are many reasons—shorter daylight hours, molting, cold stress, age and nutritional deficiencies are some of the top causes.
How can I get my hens to lay eggs during winter?
You can extend daylight hours with supplemental lighting, ensure they’re getting a balanced diet with enough protein and calcium, and make sure the chicken coop is draft-free and warm.
How do I know if my hens are molting?
Molting happens when hens shed old feathers to grow new ones. You’ll notice feathers in the coop, and egg production will likely decrease during this time.
search molting on my page, I have a few articles on molting care.
Can I prevent my hens from stopping egg production in the winter?
While some factors are out of your control (like the shorter days), providing proper care—like a warm, safe coop, a good diet, and artificial lighting—can help your hens maintain egg production all winter long. We get eggs all winter long, by using supplemental light and a heat source.
