Why Your Buff Orpingtons Aren’t Laying Eggs – 9 Common Reasons and Fixes
Buff Orpington stopped laying? Don’t panic. Let’s fix it!
If your Buff Orpington hen was laying eggs like a champ and suddenly stopped—or hasn’t started at all—you’re not alone. I've been there, pacing around the coop, wondering “What’s going on with my girls?”
The truth is, Buff Orpingtons are reliable layers, but they’re not egg machines. Things like stress, nutrition, or seasonal changes can throw off their egg game.
Let’s go through
9 common reasons why Buff Orpingtons stop laying eggs—and what you can do to get them back on track.
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Related read: When Do Buff Orpingtons Start Laying Eggs?
1. She's Not Old Enough Yet
Buff Orpingtons usually start laying between
18 and 24 weeks. Some may take longer, especially if hatched during short daylight months or cooler seasons.
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Fix: Be patient! Make sure she’s on a quality grower or pre-layer feed until week 16, then switch to layer feed.
➡️ Learn more: Buff Orpington Egg Laying Timeline
2. Not Enough Light
Chickens need
14–16 hours of daylight to keep laying. Buff Orpingtons especially slow down in darker months.
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Fix: Add artificial light with a timer during the early morning or evening. A simple LED bulb in the coop can do wonders.
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Coop airflow matters too—check this ventilation guide
3. She's Molting
Molting is when chickens shed old feathers and grow new ones. It usually happens yearly and
halts egg production temporarily.
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Fix: Give her a protein boost with scrambled eggs, mealworms, or sunflower seeds. Keep her stress low during this time.
Pro tip: Most Buffs molt around 12–18 months and every fall after.
4. Broodiness
Buff Orpingtons are known for going
broody. That means they’ll stop laying and sit on a nest—even if there are no fertile eggs!
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Fix: Gently break broodiness by removing her from the nest, placing her in a wire-bottom cage for airflow, or giving her no access to nesting boxes for a few days.
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More on egg-laying behavior and solutions
5. Poor Nutrition
If she’s not getting enough protein, calcium, or vitamins, she might stop laying—or lay weak-shelled or no-yolk eggs.
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Fix: Feed a balanced
layer feed with at least 16% protein. Offer crushed oyster shells separately for calcium.
Also helpful: Try automated feeders for consistent feeding
6. Stress in the Coop
Predators, overcrowding, pecking order fights, or sudden changes (like moving coops) can freak her out—and that often means no eggs.
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Fix: Keep the coop calm. Don’t overcrowd. Give at least
4 sq. ft per hen inside the coop, and
10 sq. ft outside.
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How big should your coop be? Check this guide
7. Hidden Nests
Your Buff might still be laying—just not where you expect. Free-range hens often
hide their eggs in tall grass, bushes, or corners of the coop.
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Fix: Confine your flock for a few days to re-train them to use nesting boxes. Place ceramic or fake eggs inside to guide them.
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Free-range vs chicken run: Which is better for you?
8. Health Problems or Parasites
Sick or parasite-infested hens stop laying. Common culprits?
Mites, lice, internal worms, or egg-binding.
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Fix:
Inspect under wings and around vents
Deworm regularly (natural or vet-approved)
Offer grit and fresh water always
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Health problems to watch from chick stage
9. She’s Aging Out
After 3–4 years, Buff Orpingtons
naturally lay fewer eggs. It’s normal. Production may drop to 2–3 eggs a week or stop altogether.
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Fix: Either retire her as a pet or plan ahead and
stagger your flock by adding new pullets each year.
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How long do chickens lay? See breed-by-breed breakdown
Need More Help? Explore These Next:
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Is Poultry Farming Still Profitable in Nigeria?
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How to Build a Chicken Coop for Under $200
🧠
Mistakes Every First-Time Chicken Keeper Makes
📚
Layer Chicken Farming Guide
❤️
The True Purpose of the Red Rhode Island Chicken
Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic—Just Observe & Adjust
Buff Orpingtons are amazing layers, but they're still living animals—not machines. Give them light, nutrition, calm, and love—and they’ll reward you with baskets of eggs.
Still not laying after trying everything? Reach out or drop a comment—I’m happy to troubleshoot with you.
