7MO old BCM Not Laying

[Eggstatic1727]

My 7month old Black Copper Maran just started laying 1 month ago. She was laying pretty regularly, one egg every other day or so up until about 7 days ago. I know with the daylight hours getting shorter chicken laying schedules get changed up a bit, but I haven't had one egg from Cilantro (BCM) in over a week and I just want to make sure this is normal before I start panicking.

Her diet is the same, nothing has changed,(oyster shells and layer feed) she has an appetite and drinking the same. She does get treats about once a day but I have always given her and her sisters fruits and such. She isn't showing any signs of illness, still very active and vocal. Still loves to free range around the backyard. Upon physical examination she is exactly the same, nothing swollen or inflamed, her feathers are impeccable, so I don't think there is a pest issue, no scratching or itching.

I was just under the impression that since this was her first year she would still lay through the colder months. This is my first go with raising chickens so I'm hoping this is normal behavior and not something more serious. She shares a coop with 2 Olive Eggers who haven't started laying yet. I have raised them since they were a few days old but Ive read that Olive Eggers are late bloomers so I am not too worried about them.

If anyone can shed some light on this topic and give me rough idea of what to expect during the first year of laying during the winter months with my three girls that would be very helpful. I know all chickens are different and all seem to lay whenever they feel but if there are specific things I should be watching out for that would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

Is there any damp residue in the nesting boxes? Sometimes, a hen will eat her eggs.

That's the only thing I can think of.

 

[junebuggena]

I've got an 8 month old hen in the middle of a full molt this year, so it is entirely possible that she's been affected by the shortening days of fall.

 

[Eggstatic1727]

Is there any damp residue in the nesting boxes? Sometimes, a hen will eat her eggs.

That's the only thing I can think of.

Nope, haven't seen any evidence of her eating her eggs.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Does she free range any? If so she may have found a cozy spot. Weather changes, days/sunlight getting shorter & cooler temps, does make a difference. I've read if you want eggs through the winter months (darker, shorter days) to hang light in the coop on the timer. Hens need about 14hrs of light to keep their egg laying going.

My girls are Pets with Benefits, therefore I look at it as "rest" for their reproductive system. I just like having them around

 

[Eggstatic1727]

Does she free range any? If so she may have found a cozy spot. Weather changes, days/sunlight getting shorter & cooler temps, does make a difference. I've read if you want eggs through the winter months (darker, shorter days) to hang light in the coop on the timer. Hens need about 14hrs of light to keep their egg laying going.

My girls are Pets with Benefits, therefore I look at it as "rest" for their reproductive system. I just like having them around

I supervise while they free range and I haven't notice her lay anywhere else. I have even seen her make a beeline for the coop to lay when she is free-ranging. If she never lays another egg I would love her just as much, I just want to make sure nothing is wrong with her.
I as well am a firm believer in no lighting during the winter months. It's just not natural for them.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many breeds will lay for a bit than take a break for a few weeks. Others will regularly lay. During this time of year I find production goes up and down but isn't as consistent as it is during the spring and early summer.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Let's clear up a misconception. Many pullets will skip the molt and lay eggs throughout their first winter, especially production breeds. That Marans is a good candidate for that. But many does not mean all. Some will molt and stop laying eggs. When they molt they start losing feathers around the head first and it moves to other parts of their body. Sometimes you can see bare spots but sometimes the only way to know they are molting is that you see a lot of extra feathers flying around. Have you seen extra feathers flying around? Sometimes the chickens will eat the smaller ones, it’s a good source of protein.

Even if they don’t molt some hens either shut down laying for the winter or cut way back. That can be more pronounced in severe weather. The same thing can happen in summer if it gets really hot. Pullets are also notorious for being irregular. Their internal egg making factory is pretty complicated, sometimes it takes them a while to work out all the kinks. To me it’s kind of remarkable how many get it right straight from the start. To me having a pullet start, stop, or be irregular isn’t all that unusual, certainly not a cause to panic as long as she is acting normal.

Just because she scurries back to the coop to lay an egg doesn’t mean she is laying in a nest. I don’t know what your coop looks like but are you sure she is not hiding a nest in there?

There can always be exceptions but generally the only critters that take eggs without leaving evidence are snakes, canines, and humans. In Kansas City this past week it’s not a snake, they are generally irregular anyway, eating eggs and going away until they digest them before they come back for more.

Coyotes or foxes would certainly eat the eggs and leave no trace but they’d likely be interested in your chickens. It’s probably not one of them. Do you have a dog that has access to the coop and might enjoy a snack? I’ll leave it up to you to determine if you suspect a human.

In general I don’t think you have anything to worry about as long as she is acting normal. With living animals I can’t give you any guarantees but this sounds all too normal.

 

[aart]

To quote @Blooie ...they aint pez dispensers!

I have a BMC mix pullet this year, she laid for a few weeks then went kinda broody,
she got over that pretty quick and hasn't laid since.<shrugs>

I even use supplemental lighting...most the pullets are laying, one has not started.
Some of the older birds are laying some are molting.
The 'dark season' is also the 'not so many eggs season'.

 

[Eggstatic1727]

Let's clear up a misconception. Many pullets will skip the molt and lay eggs throughout their first winter, especially production breeds. That Marans is a good candidate for that. But many does not mean all. Some will molt and stop laying eggs. When they molt they start losing feathers around the head first and it moves to other parts of their body. Sometimes you can see bare spots but sometimes the only way to know they are molting is that you see a lot of extra feathers flying around. Have you seen extra feathers flying around? Sometimes the chickens will eat the smaller ones, it’s a good source of protein.

Even if they don’t molt some hens either shut down laying for the winter or cut way back. That can be more pronounced in severe weather. The same thing can happen in summer if it gets really hot. Pullets are also notorious for being irregular. Their internal egg making factory is pretty complicated, sometimes it takes them a while to work out all the kinks. To me it’s kind of remarkable how many get it right straight from the start. To me having a pullet start, stop, or be irregular isn’t all that unusual, certainly not a cause to panic as long as she is acting normal.

Just because she scurries back to the coop to lay an egg doesn’t mean she is laying in a nest. I don’t know what your coop looks like but are you sure she is not hiding a nest in there?

There can always be exceptions but generally the only critters that take eggs without leaving evidence are snakes, canines, and humans. In Kansas City this past week it’s not a snake, they are generally irregular anyway, eating eggs and going away until they digest them before they come back for more.

Coyotes or foxes would certainly eat the eggs and leave no trace but they’d likely be interested in your chickens. It’s probably not one of them. Do you have a dog that has access to the coop and might enjoy a snack? I’ll leave it up to you to determine if you suspect a human.

In general I don’t think you have anything to worry about as long as she is acting normal. With living animals I can’t give you any guarantees but this sounds all too normal.

No extra feathers are lying around, like I stated in the post, her feathers are extremely full and thick, no loss. And there would be no way for my dog to get into the coop, or I’d imagine any other critter. I have it pretty well secured from outside animals.

As long as this could be considered normal, I’m satisfied. Her health and well-being are my main concerns.