Why Your Chickens Stopped Laying Eggs — 7 Things to Check This Summer
It always catches me off guard. One minute we’re frequently gathering a full basket of fresh eggs, and the next? We’re scraping together two or three if we’re lucky. If you’re chickens are not laying in the late Summer, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong.
Late summer is a common time for backyard chickens to slow down or even stop laying altogether. Between the heat, the molt, and a few sneaky seasonal shifts, there are plenty of reasons why your hens might be taking a break. Thankfully, most of the time, it’s totally normal—and fixable. Don’t panic!
Let’s walk through the top reasons your chickens may not be laying right now, and what you can do to support your flock through it.
🥚 1. The Summer Heat Is Too Much
Chickens aren’t built for extreme temperatures. Once it climbs above 85°F, their bodies go into heat stress mode, which means energy is spent on staying cool, not producing eggs. Understandably of course.
What to do:
- Provide plenty of fresh, cool water (refresh often!)
- Offer frozen treats like watermelon or berries
- Create shady areas and improve airflow in the coop
- Read more: How to Keep Chickens Cool in the Sweltering Summer Heat
🪶 2. They’re Starting to Molt
Molting usually starts in late summer or early fall, when chickens begin shedding old feathers to grow new ones. Sometimes they get pretty funny looking! 😅 Since feather production requires a ton of protein and energy, egg laying takes a backseat during this time.
What to do:
- Offer high-protein treats (mealworms, scrambled eggs, sunflower seeds)
- Switch to a grower or flock raiser feed temporarily if needed
- Be gentle—molting chickens often feel a little touchy. Wouldn’t you be?
🌿 3. Shorter Daylight Hours
Believe it or not, the days start getting shorter not long after the summer solstice in June. Chickens are sensitive to light cycles, and as daylight dips below 14 hours, it can trigger a natural pause in laying.
What to do:
- Make sure your chickens get as much natural light as possible
- Some folks choose to add a low-wattage light in the coop (on a timer) to simulate longer days, though we personally let nature set the pace on our homestead.
🐔 4. Age of Your Hens
If your chickens are over 2 years old, it’s normal for them to start slowing down—especially in the heat or as they head into fall. Older hens may take longer breaks or lay more sporadically.
Our girls just celebrated their 5th birthday around Memorial day. They only have a few laying years left in them so our drop in egg production is getting to be a common thing.
What to do:
- Let them rest if needed—many bounce back in cooler weather
- You can slowly introduce new pullets to your flock to balance egg production long-term
🌱 5. Nutritional Deficiencies
If your hens aren’t getting a well-balanced diet (especially enough calcium and protein), it can impact both egg quantity and quality.
What to do:
- Offer a quality layer feed
- Provide crushed oyster shell free-choice for calcium
- Supplement with occasional protein-rich snacks during high-stress periods (like heat or molt)
🐾 6. Stress from Predators, Pests, or Change
Even if you haven’t seen a predator, your hens might have. Nearby raccoons, hawks, or even rodents can cause enough nighttime stress to throw off their laying rhythm. Moving the coop, introducing new birds, or loud nearby construction can do the same.
What to do:
- Check for signs of predators or pests in and around the coop
- Keep the routine as consistent and peaceful as possible
- Add herbs like lavender or chamomile to nesting boxes to promote calm
🧼 7. Dirty or Uncomfortable Nesting Boxes
Sometimes, the hens are laying… just not where you expect. If nesting boxes are too hot, messy, infested with mites, or just feel off to them, they may look for another place to lay—or skip it altogether. We are actually in the process of relocating ours. When I had build the temporary coop, we had put the egg boxes up higher to give them more ground space to walk around. This however soon proved to be an issue. Right now three of our girls have bumblefoot. We are guessing it is due to the fact they were jumping down from their boxes frequently, causing some sensitivity in their little feet.
Here are some things to try to help your girls have a more comfortable laying space:
- Clean nesting boxes weekly and refresh bedding as needed
- Check shady corners, bushes, or under the coop for hidden egg stashes
- Encourage proper laying habits with ceramic nest eggs if needed
🧺 Let the Girls Rest
While we love a steady flow of fresh eggs, it’s good to remember: your hens are living beings, not machines. Just like us, they slow down when the conditions get tough. Whether it’s the heat, the molt, or the shifting season, they’re just responding to nature in the way they’re designed to. Give them some grace.
With a little extra care, most flocks will bounce back once the cooler weather rolls in. Until then, offer support, be patient, and enjoy the rhythm of life on the homestead—even if your egg basket is a little lighter these days.
XO Bri
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