1yr old Easter Egger not laying

[CoopCop]

I have an Easter Egger hen just over 1 year old. She started laying just shy of six months, usually giving me four or five eggs a week. About two months ago she stopped laying. She is acting healthy, only has missing feathers on her saddle from my rooster's affections, and has even sat in the nesting box a few times I have seen. I know she hasn't been laying because she is my only green egg layer and I have had no green eggs in two months.

Any thoughts on what is happening with her? Ideas of how to help her start laying again?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would check for the usual things, like worms, mites/lice, not enough protein in the diet (too much scratch or not enough regular chicken feed).

Sometimes they just take a break.

 

[CoopCop]

I did a prophylactic worming a few weeks ago, no mites or lice. I mix some milo in with my feed to stretch it some, but protein intake is still pretty good with scraps figured in and the free ranging they get to do about half the time. And all my other hens are laying well. I guess I am just missing the green eggs.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I did a prophylactic worming a few weeks ago, no mites or lice. I mix some milo in with my feed to stretch it some, but protein intake is still pretty good with scraps figured in and the free ranging they get to do about half the time. And all my other hens are laying well. I guess I am just missing the green eggs.

Do you offer oyster shell on the side? That could be the missing ingredient for your laying if not. Sometimes they just need a bit of extra calcium to get going.

If your layer feed is cut too much it can definitely affect laying. I would keep the treats to 10% of the feed or less (this is often said on BYC is why I say that- I am no expert- but it seems reasonable to me).

I start with unmedicated chick starter (20% protein) and cut mine with grains/seeds with oyster shell on the side as my regular feed. I only offer layer pellets (16% protein) sometimes. By starting with a higher protein (starter) the end result is a higher protein than if I had started with layer pellets.

It is imperative of course when cutting commercial feed with grains that they have a good source of vitamins, such as green grass to graze on, or vegetable clippings, as the vitamin premix they use will also be cut.

I hope this helps, and enjoy your chickens!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers
Here is a large thread you may enjoy!

 

[CoopCop]

I always keep oyster shell available, and they get lots of veggie scraps, plus their regular run is pretty large with lots of good green stuff growing in it. Like I said, all my hens are producing well except for the one Easter Egger. Maybe she's just on break.