Why Are My Chickens Not Laying Eggs?

Managing a layer flock isn't always a straightforward process. Some months you may be flush with eggs, and in other instances, you may notice production is tapering off. At some point, every chicken keeper has asked themselves: why are my chickens not laying eggs?

Whether you're new to raising poultry or have kept them in your backyard for years, decreased egg production is a common issue many growers will run into. A sudden decrease in egg production could be caused by various factors, including stress, lack of daylight, or an improper diet.



Thankfully, once you have determined the underlying cause, you can take actionable steps to get your flock back on track. We’ll cover everything your chickens need to become healthy, productive members of your farm or homestead.

Start With the Best Egg Layers

To maximize egg production, you should choose chickens specifically bred to produce the most eggs. Not every chicken breed will be a high-production layer, even under the best possible conditions.

The White Leghorn is the top egg producer of all breeds. Specifically for backyard egg producers, we recommend breeds that are both good egg producers and easy to handle. White Leghorn hens are excellent, but they tend to be flighty and louder than other breeds.

To set yourself up for success, research the breeds you are interested in and purchase chickens that align with your goals. If you need help choosing chickens that are good egg layers, these are some of our favorite high-production breeds at Myers Poultry.

Rhode Island Reds

Rhode Island Red chickens are a fan-favorite among poultry keepers. This breed has stood the test of time for a variety of reasons: they are cold hardy, excellent layers, and they are typically friendly. 

Rhode Island Red egg production surpasses many other brown egg layers, so we highly recommend adding them to your layer flock. If properly maintained, you can expect your Rhode Island Red hens to produce 200-280 eggs per year.

Buff Orpingtons

Buff Orpingtons are another common choice for backyard growers. They are great layers, and they get bonus points for being one of the friendliest chicken breeds. Many growers keep them for eggs as well as companionship.

Buff Orpington egg production is reliable, and they will continue to lay even in the winter months. If given optimal conditions to thrive in, you can expect 200-280 eggs per year.

The only downside to owning a Buff Orpington hen is that they tend to go broody. If this is a dealbreaker, you may want to consider other breeds for your production flock.

Black Sex Links

Black Sex Links are a cross between Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks, so you get the best of both worlds with this hybrid. Their parent stock is well-regarded for their egg laying ability, beauty, and utility.


Any sex-link breed is a great addition to a layer flock, as they rank high among the best brown egg producers. Black Sex Links can produce 280-300 eggs per year if given optimal conditions to thrive in. At Myers Poultry, we also offer Amberlinks and Red Sex Links, which yield similar egg production.

Black Australorps

Black Australorps are a heavy-bodied layer. While they may appear somewhat intimidating, this bird is incredibly docile and usually gets along well with other flock members. This breed is great for free-ranging, as their black feathers act as a deterrent against predators. 

In optimal conditions, Black Australorps can lay between 200-300 eggs per year.

Silver Laced Wyandottes 

Silver Laced Wyandotte chickens are a great combination of beauty and utility. Nine varieties are included in the Wyandotte family, with Silver Laced being one of the breeds we carry. With optimal care, you can expect between 200-300 eggs per year from this cold hardy breed.

Not only are Wyandottes excellent layers, but they are commonly seen within the show circuit due to their beautiful plumage. 

Provide a Healthy, Balanced Diet

You may have all the best breeds, but your flock is only as good as their diet. The quality and consistency of each egg they produce is directly tied to nutrition. 


A high-quality layer feed is one of the best places to start if you'd like to improve egg production. Without a balanced diet full of essential nutrients, your chickens will not be able to lay to the best of their ability. 

When choosing a feed, look for a complete layer feed with the right protein content (16-18%). Check the ingredient list to ensure there is an appropriate amount of carbs, calcium, fatty and amino acids, and vitamins and minerals. If you have any questions, ask your local feed dealer for recommendations.

To keep your chickens healthy and happy, you can also supplement their diet with treats and kitchen scraps. However, it’s important to remember that 90% of your chickens’ dietary needs should be met through their layer feed.

Some great items you can add to their diet:
Sunflower seeds (protein)
Soldier fly larvae (protein)
Blueberries (vitamins and antioxidants)
Watermelon (nutrients and hydration)
Leafy greens (vitamins and minerals)
Fresh herbs (antimicrobial)

Before giving your chickens any kind of additional treats or food scraps, always ensure they are safe to eat and provide them in moderation.

Too much protein in particular can cause health and behavioral issues within your flock, so always ensure you are providing food and treats in recommended amounts.

Give Your Chickens Calcium

Calcium is one of the most important things layer hens need to produce large eggs with strong eggshells. Your complete layer feed should include at least 3-4% calcium to help them meet their needs.

The reason hens need calcium in their diet is because their eggs are primarily made out of calcium carbonate. If they have a calcium deficiency, your hens may stop laying as regularly, or their eggs can come out brittle and soft. Additionally, your hens may even start eating their own eggs to supplement their diet.

To provide additional calcium, some growers will crush up old eggshells and mix it in with treats to give their chickens a boost. Crushed oyster shells are another common way to increase the calcium intake of your birds. 

You should leave these items in separate containers other than your feed, so your chickens can choose whether or not to supplement their diet.

Provide Adequate Space and Nesting Boxes

The living conditions of your chickens is an important thing to consider. Chickens living in a cramped, inadequate environment will not be as productive. It may also contribute to their stress—which is another factor we will cover later.

Your chicken coop should provide at least 4 square feet of space per bird. Your run should be about double the size, with 8-10 square feet of space for them to roam comfortably. 

And for egg production, your nesting boxes are probably the most important. For every 3-5 hens, there should be at least 1 nesting box available. Without enough places to lay, your chickens may start laying in random areas throughout the coop, or even outside. This can make egg collecting more difficult, and you run the risk of losing those eggs to predators before you can find them.

Check your nesting boxes every single day and collect eggs promptly to keep those spaces open and inviting for your chickens. 

Make Sure Your Coop and Run is Clean

A clean coop will do wonders for the production of your flock. Chickens are inherently messy animals, but they do value having a clean space to live in. An unclean coop can also cause health problems within your flock (like respiratory issues) that will lead to a decrease in production.

Check your coop regularly to spot clean dirty areas, especially in their nesting boxes. If nesting material needs to be replaced, do it promptly so your chickens have a comfortable place to lay their eggs.

Every week, plan to clean out all the bedding in their coop and provide them with fresh shavings. A deep clean should be performed at least once or twice a year. You can reference our blog on spring cleaning your chicken coop to learn more.

Increase Light Exposure

It could be possible that your chickens have stopped laying eggs because of inadequate light exposure. The reproductive cycle of chickens is heavily linked to daylight hours. Without enough of it, their egg laying cycle will slow down or stop completely.

If it’s a time of year when daylight is naturally less frequent (like fall or winter) you can add some artificial lighting to their coop to stimulate egg production.

Make sure it is soft, low lighting and provided above feeders and waterers. We recommend LED bulbs.

When adding artificial lighting to your coop, we recommend keeping it on a timer so your chickens can have rest hours.

For optimal egg laying, 14-16 hours of daylight should be sufficient to stimulate production. If you leave the light on for 24 hours a day, it can have the opposite effect and cause them stress.

In the spring and summer months, make sure your chickens get enough time outside to enjoy the sunshine. This is great for their enrichment as well as for egg production. If free-ranging your chickens, just ensure you have taken additional steps to protect them from predators.

Control Parasites and Disease

Disease is another common reason why your chickens may have stopped laying eggs. And unfortunately, it's not always obvious when your chickens are sick, as they are good at hiding their illnesses.
 
Signs your chickens may not be feeling well include: lethargy, lack of appetite, diarrhea, or nasal discharge. A thorough health check and assessment every month can help you spot potential issues before they get worse, or spread to the rest of your flock.

Mites and parasites can also stress out your chickens and cause a sharp decrease in eggs. Check their feathers and vent area regularly to make sure there are no visible signs of mites. They can also be found hiding under roosts and perches. Leaving a dust bath out for your chickens is a good way to keep mites at bay.

For issues that aren't able to be treated at home, consult your nearest poultry veterinarian for treatment. 

Manage Stressors on Your Flock

Chickens can get stressed out just like humans do. It could be caused by poor environment, extreme weather, or the constant presence of predators.

You can mitigate stress on your flock by making their chicken coop their safe space. A secure coop and run will give your chickens peace of mind and protect them from predators. 

Establish a daily routine so they know when to leave and when to come back at night. Automatic coop doors, night lights, and secure hardware cloth around the run are just a few ways you can keep them safe.

When extreme temperatures arise (whether it be cold or hot), make sure your coop has the proper insulation and ventilation they need to stay comfortable all year long.

Your chickens should continue to lay in the winter, so long as they are properly cared for. And in the summer, make sure they have plenty of shade in the run as well as access to fresh water. Dust baths are a great way to keep them cool too!

And finally, it's always a good idea to be observant of your flock's behavior and their pecking order. Rampant bullying can cause some of your hens to stop laying eggs. If you notice any bad behavior, isolate the bully hen from the rest of the flock so your other hens can decompress. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Production

If you're new to keeping poultry, you may still have a few questions about egg layers and egg production. These are some of the most common questions we get about our layers at Myers Poultry.

How old are chickens when they start laying eggs? That depends on the breed, but usually between 16-20 weeks. For certain breeds it can take longer for them to produce their first egg.

How often do chickens lay eggs? That depends on the breed, but typically it’s 4-6 times per week with the most high-production layers.

How many eggs does a chicken lay in one day? No more than once a day. The reproductive cycle for a layer hen takes at least 24-26 hours.

Why are my chickens not laying eggs? As we discussed in this blog, your empty egg basket could be caused by a variety of things. Ask yourself the following:

Are my chickens getting enough light?
Is their diet meeting their needs?
Are there enough nesting boxes?
Are my chickens stressed?
Is my coop big enough to comfortably house all of my chickens?

Once you diagnose the cause of your decrease in egg production, you can make changes to boost your flocks’ productivity.

What chickens lay the most eggs? The top egg layer of all breeds would be the White Leghorn, but we do not recommend this breed for inexperienced backyard growers. They can be a great addition if you know how to handle their needs and are able to manage the noise and flightiness that comes along with it.

For folks that are new to the game, or looking for hens that are easier to handle, we recommend sticking to breeds like Rhode Island Reds, Sex Links, and Wyandottes. They have a reputation for being friendly and reliable. Colored layers like the Americana are also fairly good producers if you want eggs beyond white or brown.

Increase Your Egg Production with Myers Poultry

Improving your egg production doesn’t happen overnight, but a few thoughtful changes to your flock’s care, diet, and environment will put you on the path to success.

From choosing the right breeds to providing adequate nutrition, each small piece of the puzzle makes a big difference. With a little patience and time, your hens will reward you with a basket full of fresh eggs. 

Even if you follow all of these tips, it is natural for egg production to taper off within a few years. If your hens have aged and simply aren’t laying as much as they used to, it may be a good time to consider adding new layers to your flock.

If you're ready to grow your farm or homestead, the Myers Poultry team would be happy to assist you with finding the best breeds for your needs. Still have questions on how to increase egg production in chickens? Don't hesitate to contact us directly if you'd like expert help.