2 yr old hen not laying for 3 weeks

[NEGATiZE]

I have a 2 year old hen that stopped laying eggs about 3 weeks ago. Her diet hasn't changed (layer feed) and she doesn't appear sick, lethargic at all. Her demeanor has been the same as it always has been.

I noticed this at the bottom of her coop about a week and a half ago:

I bought some food supplement since but no improvement.

Today, I see these at the bottom of her coop.

I'm not sure what they are. Any ideas on what could be wrong?

 

[NEGATiZE]

Bump - any thoughts?

She still hasn't laid any eggs as of today.

 

[weezertheco]

Hmm, first let me say that I have Cochins and they often take about a month off from laying. My Cochin just started laying eggs took hatch and stopped laying in the nest box. Check around in various "hiding spots" for eggs. Ours lays under our cat's shelf. Just a suggestion. And as to the lumpy, meaty, weird looking blobs, I'm sorry, but I have no idea. Sorry. I hope you get your chicken back on track!

 

[gander007]

Okay that is a little different for sure as I have as of yet not seen anything like that at the bottom of a cage before ..

A chicken taking a little time off is not unusual at all ...

 

[weezertheco]

Perhaps it is a mouse or something? Some chickens act like cats in the since that they are good rodent hunters.

 

[NEGATiZE]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! It's a little less worrisome hearing others say it's OK for chickens to take some egg-laying breaks.

As far as the odd things I'm finding at the bottom of the cage: I just found another bean-shaped thing on the ground next to one of her droppings in the yard. It looks just like the upper bean-shaped thing in the last picture on my original post, but much smaller. Like a lima bean or something. It's the oddest thing.

As far as her activity and mannerisms -- she's just as perky and her normal self as always.

 

[azygous]

I agree with the others. Hens often lay steadily for a period, then may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, and even a year off. Your hen sure looks healthy, and it also looks like she may be saying, "I think I deserve some time off, and hey, I'm taking it!"

As for the strange things, in the future, make sure you place a ruler or a recognizable object next to the subjects so we can judge how big they are. But let's assume they are egg size since they came out of your hen. I've seen just about every disgusting looking, strange things in the nest boxes and poop boards, and many have no resemblance to eggs. None have been associated with sick hens.

The egg-laying machinery is very complex, and making an egg each day is a very complicated thing, so it shouldn't be surprising if, from time to time, strange things get produced.

As long as your hen is behaving normally, try to relax. When her body has rested, she will probably start laying again.

 

[NEGATiZE]

6 month update. She still hasn't layed any eggs, but otherwise she is perfectly healthy and fine!

Another strange thing at the bottom of her coop this morning. Standard size chicken wire for scale.

 

[krista74]

I am by no means an expert, but I'm wondering if you Google "Lash Eggs" would some of that information be helpful to you.

Lash eggs are meaty/fibrous 'chunks' which hens can produce. They signify that the hen is experiencing a hormonal change which could indicate an infection is present, or that the end of the hen's egg laying career is approaching.

Some people recommend probiotics to promote healthy digestion, which in turn promotes more efficient egg laying.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this might be what your girl is 'laying' for you?

- Krista

 

[aart]

6 month update. She still hasn't layed any eggs, but otherwise she is perfectly healthy and fine!

Another strange thing at the bottom of her coop this morning. Standard size chicken wire for scale.

That's not chicken wire.....it looks to be 1/2" hardware cloth, and I'd say your girl has some serious reproductive issues tho they don't appear to be affecting her general health.

She's lovely. Do you have other chickens?