2 mos no egg, will she ever lay again?

[chookchick]

I have two Easter Egger pullets that a broody raised last year, Laverne and Shirley. In the beginning of January, at 8 months, Laverne started laying. In the middle of January Shirley started laying, beautiful sky blue eggs. I was thrilled! Shirley has always been a very skittish hen. I have 4 other older hens.

Two weeks later, Shirley got spooked by me and pushed out of the partway open run door. I ran to get my husband to help me get her back in. Before I could explain the program, he started to herd Shirley. She freaked out and flew over the 6' run, and got caught in the aviary netting. For about one awful minute, she was rolling around, getting body parts stuck, while I tried to catch her and work her towards the edge. I finally got her by the edge where my husband could reach over and carefully pick her up. He put her back in the run, she seemed wigged out, but not physically harmed.

She laid two perfect eggs the next couple of days, then nothing....It's been 2 months! She looks very healthy, has actually calmed down around me, has a great diet and lots of room. Laverne is laying like crazy, along with the other hens. I've scoured the runs for eggs, but they've all been in the next box. I'm losing hope--is there anything else I can do? I need the eggs!

 

[hysop]

What are they eating and how much?

 

[ChickenCurt]

If they're not too old, you may want to have a vet look at her , she could be egg bound (you can check for this yourself). This took out one of my good hens.

 

[chookchick]

Their diet is an organic layer crumble, augmented by hay, grass clippings, mealworms, oyster shell, and some kitchen scraps. She is eating very well and is a big healthy chicken!

She isn't eggbound (i've been through that before with other hens). I am afraid to catch her and look at her, because that is apparently what made her so skittish to begin with, and it would re-traumatize her. I really think she is in good health. But perhaps I could call my vet and discuss the situation.

 

[hysop]

Mealworms are more of a treat than nutrition. They’re probably eating treats and ignoring the layer feed. They should be eating 3/4 cups of layer feed. Definitely limit the treats and table scraps and such. And see if that will change anything

 

[ChickenCurt]

I wouldn't change anything in her diet, sounds like she's getting everything nature would give her. However, does she have enough access to lime or other calcium rich soils. What may have stopped from stress could be resuming due to deficiency in egg producing material. Just an idea. Hope she lays soon for you.

 

[hysop]

If what ChickenCurt is all they needed then please let us know for knowledge.

 

[ChickenCurt]

Chickens are a herd animal and like to flock around larger animals such as cows, for example. They clean everything up by scavenging seeds, fresh shoots and bugs including those that grow in and on poo. Large animal dung is high in enzymes that benefit chickens overall health (especially digestion). Egg production can be reduced or stopped altogether by various stresses, shortened days, and molting. A young chicken that suffers from none of these things could have something medical going on. That's where my knowledge ceases. If there is nothing wrong medically, just spread more lime down in the chicken run/yard and give her time to get over herself. A healthy chicken should be starting to lay soon or increase production with the coming on of spring and summer. Hope this helps.