Hen won't lay after molt

[Flock Master64]

Hello!
I have a White Leghorn hen about 1 1/2 years old and about a week ago she just got finished with her molt. I know leghorns usually lay during molting but this was her first molt ever so I thought since it was her first time dealing with a molt so I didn't think I'd get many eggs. It's been a good month since I've gotten any eggs from her at all. I don't know what to do.

 

[minihorse927]

Molts can take 6 to 8 weeks and unfortunately they generally fall into the same time frame as the days getting shorter. The shorter days mean they don't receive enough light to kick them back into gear. Give her some time and she will lay again.

 

[minihorse927]

What are you feeding btw?

 

[carlf]

I have a BR that laid almost an egg every day. She started a molt this summer and hasn't laid since, at least 3 or4 months.
Can't rush biology, just keep her well fed and she will start when she's ready.
Also, coming off a molt this late in the year, with the days shortening, she might not lay until they start to lengthen again in Spring.

 

[Flock Master64]

15% grower/finisher feed, I have 2 pullets and a cockerel that I'm keeping in with my 4 hens so just to keep it simple I feed them all the same feed. The pullets are about to get off the grower and on the layer feed as soon as I use of all the current grower/finisher feed

 

[minihorse927]

Do you provide oyster shell free choice? They need calcium if they are laying age

 

[Flock Master64]

No

 

[Flock Master64]

Once they are ready to lay, my pullets. I'm going to give them an all purpose feed for the whole flock since cockerel and roosters don't need layer feed and too much calcium can hurt them and I'm going to fill my small feeder with oyster shells for the hens and pullets if they need some extra calcium

 

[minihorse927]

Since you have laying hens that are of age you need to be providing them oyster shell if you are not feeding a layer feed. Could be her body is lacking the calcium to produce egg shells.

 

[Flock Master64]

I have 3 other hens that are laying and two have finished their molt