Why Aren't My Hens Laying? 12 Common Reasons (and How to Fix Them)

August 1, 2026 Kourtney Dubay

You go out to the coop, lift the nest box lid, and… nothing. Again. If your hens have suddenly stopped laying — or never quite got started — you're not alone. Egg production is surprisingly sensitive to a wide range of factors, and the good news is that most of them are fixable. Here are the 12 most common reasons hens stop laying and exactly what to do about each one.

1. Not Enough Light

Hens need 14–16 hours of light per day to maintain consistent laying. As days shorten in fall and winter, production naturally drops or stops entirely.

Fix: Add a low-wattage LED bulb or outdoor patio string lights on a timer to bring total light exposure to 14–16 hours. Add light in the morning rather than evening so hens still wind down naturally at dusk.

2. Molting

Once a year (usually in fall), hens redirect protein and energy away from egg production to grow new feathers. A molt can last 8–16 weeks.

Fix: Boost protein during molt — switch to a higher-protein feed (18–20%) or supplement with black oil sunflower seeds. Don't stress them; it's a natural process.

3. Poor Nutrition

Layer hens need a complete, balanced diet. Low calcium causes thin-shelled or absent eggs. Low protein slows production. Scratch and treats fed in excess dilute nutritional value.

Fix: Feed a quality layer pellet or crumble as the primary diet (at least 90% of intake). Offer oyster shell free-choice for calcium. Limit scratch and treats to 10% or less of daily intake.

4. Dehydration

Even mild dehydration can halt egg production quickly. Hens need constant access to clean, fresh water — especially in summer heat or freezing winter temps.

Fix: Check waterers daily. In winter, use a heated waterer or check multiple times a day to prevent freezing. In summer, add extra waterers and place them in shade.

5. Stress

Predator pressure, flock changes (new birds, pecking order disruptions), loud noises, or being moved to a new coop can all cause hens to stop laying temporarily.

Fix: Identify and eliminate the stressor where possible. Give hens time to settle — most will resume laying within 1–3 weeks once stress is resolved.

6. Overcrowding

Too little space causes chronic stress, feather pecking, and reduced laying. The standard minimum is 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the run.

Fix: Evaluate your space-to-bird ratio. If overcrowded, reduce flock size or expand housing.

7. Parasites

Heavy mite or lice infestations drain a hen's energy and can significantly reduce or stop egg production. Check under wings and around the vent area.

Fix: Inspect birds regularly. Treat with appropriate poultry dust or spray and clean/treat the coop thoroughly. Diatomaceous earth in dust baths can help prevent re-infestation.

8. Illness or Disease

Respiratory infections, egg-bound hens, internal laying, and other health issues can all cause production drops. A hen that's lethargic, has a swollen abdomen, or shows respiratory symptoms needs attention.

Fix: Isolate sick birds. Consult a vet familiar with poultry if symptoms persist or spread through the flock.

9. Age

Hens lay best in their first 2–3 years. Production declines gradually after that, and older hens may stop laying entirely — especially in winter.

Fix: Plan for flock rotation. Adding pullets each year keeps overall production steady as older hens slow down.

10. Hidden Nest or Egg Eating

Sometimes hens are laying — just not where you expect. Free-range hens especially will find creative spots. Egg eating is also a learned behavior that spreads through a flock.

Fix: Do a thorough search of your property for hidden nests. To address egg eating, collect eggs frequently, use ceramic eggs to promote laying in nest boxes, and ensure hens aren't nutritionally deficient (which can trigger the behavior).

11. Broody Behavior

A broody hen stops laying and dedicates herself to sitting on a clutch of eggs (real or imagined). She'll be puffed up, reluctant to leave the nest, and may growl when disturbed.

Fix: Break the broody cycle by moving her to a wire-bottomed broody-breaker cage for a few days, which lowers her body temperature and resets her hormones.

12. Breed Expectations

Some breeds simply aren't prolific layers. Ornamental breeds, heavy meat breeds, and many heritage breeds lay far fewer eggs than production breeds like Leghorns or ISA Browns.

Fix: Know your breed's expected output before assuming something is wrong. If consistent egg production is the goal, choose breeds selected for laying.

Quick Diagnostic Checklist

Before assuming the worst, run through this list:

Light: 14–16 hours/day?
Water: clean and accessible?
Feed: quality layer ration as the primary diet?
Molt: time of year + feather loss present?
Stress: any recent changes to flock or environment?
Parasites: checked recently?
Age: how old are your hens?
Hidden nest: searched the property?

Work through the list systematically and you'll almost always find the culprit. Most causes are temporary — with the right adjustments, your hens will be back in the nest boxes before long.

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