1 year old hen not laying

[ellent]

I read the "sticky" post at the top about why hens might stop laying, and I didn't see anything that really applied. I have 4 hens in a very room henhouse. They have free access to layer crumbles and water, plus spend a few hours most days in a tractor on grass or newly dug garden bed. I think my most reliable layer, a New Hampshire Red, has stopped laying for the past few weeks. I keep watching for signs that she is molting or sick, but can't see anything. If she's just taking a break, or getting ready to molt, that's fine. I just want to know if I should be worried about her.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

Has there been any recent change or stress?
Also, has she ever taken a break before? Being that she is 1 year old, she may be due for a break, especially if she laid through the winter.
I wouldn't be concerned - unless there are other symptoms, it's likely that she just needed some time off.

 

[lsv313]

I have a hen nearly a year old that did that recently. She had faithfully laid almost every day since she started in December, and suddenly she just stopped. It didn't look like she was molting, we checked for mites and none, she was acting otherwise healthy - just not laying. This went on for 3-4 weeks, and suddenly she just started up again. And she went right back into her almost daily laying pattern. I guess she just needed to give herself a vacation!

 

[ellent]

Thanks! Makes me feel better. Yes, she started laying in July, and barely even slacked off over the winter, so maybe she just needs a break.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Sometimes, I understand, we cause this by having a light on in the coop during the winter. We upset the molting cycle. Just a possibility.

 

[lsv313]

I never put a light on, so it wasn't that with mine. She just laid through the winter regardless.