Egg Count Down? The Real Causes of Low Production (and How to Fix it)

Backyard chickens bring so much more than fresh eggs — they’re entertaining companions. But when the egg basket isn’t as full as it used to be, it can feel confusing and frustrating. The truth is, several factors can affect egg production, and understanding them is the first step to helping your flock.

Understanding Egg Production

A healthy laying hen can produce up to 300 eggs per year, depending on breed, age, health, diet, and environmental conditions. Chickens need the right resources to lay consistently: proper nutrition, light, water, a low-stress environment, and good health. If any of these are missing, egg production can slow or stop.

Common Causes of Decreased Egg Production

1. Seasonal Changes & Light

Egg-laying is triggered by light. Hens need about 14–16 hours of light per day to optimize laying. Shorter days in winter can naturally reduce egg production — sometimes called the “winter slow-down.”

2. Feed a Complete, Balanced Diet

Proper nutrition is one of the most important factors in consistent egg production. Laying hens require a nutritionally complete layer feed, usually in pellet or crumble form, to ensure they receive all essential nutrients — including protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.

• Limit treats and extras: Fruits, vegetables, mealworms, scratch grains, or kitchen scraps can be fun, but too many can dilute the nutrients in their main feed. Over time, this can lead to:

  • Lower egg production

  • Thinner or soft-shelled eggs

  • Poor feather regrowth during molting

  • Weakened immune function

    
    

• Calcium support: Always provide a side dish of crushed oyster shells so hens can self-regulate their calcium intake. This is especially helpful if you notice soft-shelled eggs. Oyster shells do not contain vitamin D, so hens still need a nutritionally complete feed or you can offer a supplement like Chick’ N Calcium, which provides both calcium and vitamin D to support strong eggshells and overall health.

  
  

• Feed form matters: Pellet or crumble feed ensures hens consume all nutrients. Mash feed allows chickens to pick out the largest or brightest pieces, which can leave them nutritionally deficient. Over time, this selective eating can impact health, feather growth, and egg production.

  
  

• Water is part of the diet: Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. Egg production suffers if water is dirty, warm, frozen, or otherwise inaccessible. Using a poultry nipple waterer can help ensure consistent access.

  
  

Tip: Treats should be just that — occasional rewards. Keep the diet primarily based on their layer feed. Too many treats will unbalance the nutrients required from their nutritionally complete layer feed. Learn more on how important poultry nutrition is to the health and well being of your laying hens.

3. Stress Factors

Chickens are sensitive creatures. Stress can come from:

• Predator threats or disturbances

• Overcrowding

• Changes in routine or environment

  
  

Minimizing stress helps maintain consistent egg production.

4. Health Issues

Health problems can reduce egg-laying, including:

• Parasites (mites, lice, worms) — check monthly and treat as needed. Products like Piperazine Dihydrochloride, treatment for intestinal parasites have a no egg withdrawal period.

• Reproductive issues (egg-binding) Learn more here on egg binding.

• Infections (respiratory or viral) Chick' N Pulmo is an all natural supplement, reducing respiratory symptoms like sneezing, wheezing and coughing, making the bird more comfortable.

  
  

Regular health checks and good biosecurity keep your flock productive.

5. Age & Molting

Hens start laying around 5–6 months old, peak in their first year, and naturally decline after 2–3 years. Molting — when hens shed and regrow feathers — temporarily halts egg production. Supporting hens with higher-protein feed during molting helps feather regrowth and overall health. Learn more here about molting.

How to Support Egg Production

1. Provide Adequate Lighting

During shorter winter days, consider adding supplemental light on a timer to reach 14–16 hours. Hens still need at least 8 hours of darkness for restorative sleep. I also add a longer length of rope lighting in the chicken run.

Contrary to what you may read, it will not cause a hen to "run" out of eggs. Learn more on adding supplemental lighting in the darker months.

2. Feed a Complete, Balanced Diet

• Offer a nutritionally complete layer feed (pellet or crumble)

• Limit treats to small amounts (no more than 2 tablespoons per hen, not daily)

• Provide extra calcium: oyster shells in a side dish for self-selection, and/or Chick’ N Calcium for additional calcium and vitamin D support

  
  

3. Reduce Stress

• Protect hens from predators

• Maintain consistent routines

• Avoid overcrowding and sudden changes in the flock

  
  

4. Perform Regular Health Checks

• Inspect for parasites using a simple “booty check” once a month

• Monitor for signs of illness or reproductive issues

• Treat problems as they arise — chickens are outside animals and may encounter mites or lice from time to time

  
  

5. Support Molting Hens

• Provide higher-protein (amino acids) grower feed to promote feather regrowth

• Continue to offer calcium for hens still laying — oyster shells or Chick’ N Calcium ensures they get what they need

  
  

Final Thoughts

A drop in egg production is normal at times, but by understanding the causes and providing proper care, you can help your hens return to consistent laying. Pay attention to light, nutrition, stress, health, age, and molting, and your backyard flock will stay healthy and productive.

With a little attention to diet, lighting, and care, your hens can reach their full laying potential — and a reliable calcium source makes it easy to support strong eggshells naturally.