Here's the dealio:
I have a 10-month-old Easter Egger hen who has, for the past few months, been a very reliable layer. No shell issues, nothing.
About two weeks ago, I stopped getting eggs from her. I've looked throughout my entire property (not *that* big) for a hidden nest--found nothing. She's showing no signs of molt or illness--eyes are bright, appetite is good, poops are normal, feathers are good. Her behavior is relatively normal, but she has been isolating herself a bit when all the girls are out running around. No one is picking on her and her place in the pecking order hasn't changed. She walks fine, though her abdomen feels a bit full. Nothing hard or lumpy in there, though, and she doesn't complain when I palpate.
The only even remotely odd thing that has occurred with any of them recently is that I found what looked like the remnants of a broken yolk in their nesting box more than a month ago. This alone leads me to wonder if she might be egg bound or have suddenly turned into an internal layer. I tried a warm bath, and even a little veggie oil "enema". As I said, she continues to poop just fine.
So...ideas? I'm obviously worried that something horrible is happening inside and I just can't tell. Are there signs I should be looking/feeling for? What other things--besides shorter days--can cause a hen to stop laying? Should I find a poultry vet in my area, or just cross my fingers and hope for the best?
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated--I am beside myself with worry at this point.
Thanks...
I have a 10-month-old Easter Egger hen who has, for the past few months, been a very reliable layer. No shell issues, nothing.
About two weeks ago, I stopped getting eggs from her. I've looked throughout my entire property (not *that* big) for a hidden nest--found nothing. She's showing no signs of molt or illness--eyes are bright, appetite is good, poops are normal, feathers are good. Her behavior is relatively normal, but she has been isolating herself a bit when all the girls are out running around. No one is picking on her and her place in the pecking order hasn't changed. She walks fine, though her abdomen feels a bit full. Nothing hard or lumpy in there, though, and she doesn't complain when I palpate.
The only even remotely odd thing that has occurred with any of them recently is that I found what looked like the remnants of a broken yolk in their nesting box more than a month ago. This alone leads me to wonder if she might be egg bound or have suddenly turned into an internal layer. I tried a warm bath, and even a little veggie oil "enema". As I said, she continues to poop just fine.
So...ideas? I'm obviously worried that something horrible is happening inside and I just can't tell. Are there signs I should be looking/feeling for? What other things--besides shorter days--can cause a hen to stop laying? Should I find a poultry vet in my area, or just cross my fingers and hope for the best?
Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated--I am beside myself with worry at this point.
Thanks...