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Can a chicken stop laying if she wants to?

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post #1 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:04am

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stone_family3

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I have six nesting boxes, 2 get used all the time and 4 have never been used.

Two girls picked the 2 common boxes to go broody in, I tried moving them but they then refused to sit on the eggs :(

Now I'm having trouble finding any other eggs (there should still be at least 3 a day). I marked the eggs under the hens so I know the other girls aren't laying with them. I've checked the coop and the run with no luck.

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post #2 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:08am

Hannah159

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They have hormones that tell them when to lay. Old hens slow down. Are they old? If they are young, they might have egg bound.

" Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth."

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" Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth."

Psalm 98:4

1 dog, 1 cat, 19 chickens, 2 rabbits ( In memory of a sweet rabbit), 2 frogs.

God Bless Haley and Michaella!

post #3 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:16am

Fred's Hens

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They indeed have hormones. It they shut down, in an attempt to go broody, but then didn't actually complete the brooding, but the hormones still are in shutdown, they don't usually lay. Time cures all ills.

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

post #4 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:17am

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stone_family3

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Hmm these 3 haven't even showed signs of being broody.

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012

Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012

Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

post #5 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:25am

Fred's Hens

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OK, that's a detail. So it is the other three not laying?

Simply put, anything and everything that disrupts a small flock's routine can disturb laying. Again, time and they'll settle down.

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

post #6 of 8

5/2/12 at 6:37am

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stone_family3

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Yes sorry I wasn't clear. I have two broody hens on eggs, one hen with chicks and 3 who are NOT broody and have not been laying. They have space they are treated well.

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy store eggs :(

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012

Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012

Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

post #7 of 8

5/2/12 at 7:15am

7L Farm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stone_family3

Yes sorry I wasn't clear. I have two broody hens on eggs, one hen with chicks and 3 who are NOT broody and have not been laying. They have space they are treated well.

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy store eggs :(

Are get more chickens. That way someone will be laying.

I'm out of eggs. But I know where some brown ones are. I now raise big Ol' Honkin' Bob Whites & Layed back Coturnix. Pray For Rain In Texas!