A mystery

[carolwfuller]

I have a small flock of 8 chickens. Their egg laying was finally up to an average of 5 a day. I left them for two weeks. The first week they were in their pen the whole time (two little dogs visiting). The second week they were allowed to free range again but they were quiet, hid all day. By the middle of week 1 they had stopped laying ands there have been no eggs since,. I know there is a possibility they are laying elsewhere. I haven't found it or heard any egg calls. Why in the world would all 8 of them have stopped laying? Too much corn trea from the caregivers? They got spooked? Any ideas an what should I do now?

 

[DobieLover]

I have a small flock of 8 chickens. Their egg laying was finally up to an average of 5 a day. I left them for two weeks. The first week they were in their pen the whole time (two little dogs visiting). The second week they were allowed to free range again but they were quiet, hid all day. By the middle of week 1 they had stopped laying ands there have been no eggs since,. I know there is a possibility they are laying elsewhere. I haven't found it or heard any egg calls. Why in the world would all 8 of them have stopped laying? Too much corn trea from the caregivers? They got spooked? Any ideas an what should I do now?

Stress from the change in their normal routine, you being a part of that.
Once they settle down and the excess treats are stopped, they should resume laying unless they have started to molt.

 

[Chickassan]

You messed them up lol!
Seriously, any change and they lock it down.
They'll get over it eventually.
Might take longer if your chicken sitter was stuffing them with corn.

 

[carolwfuller]

You messed them up lol!
Seriously, any change and they lock it down.
They'll get over it eventually.
Might take longer if your chicken sitter was stuffing them with corn.

Funny because I left them (a different flock) last year for two weeks also with the same people too

 

[Chickassan]

That was last year, things change.

Funny because I left them (a different flock) last year for two weeks also with the same people too

 

[aart]

Funny because I left them (a different flock) last year for two weeks also with the same people too

Same time of year....did they stop laying then too?
How old are these birds?
If you free range, they may be laying out in range area.
...or they could be molting.

 

[sourland]

I would guess either the beginning of a molt or a hidden nest. You say "They were quiet and hiding". Sounds like the possibility of a predator in the area which may have caused a stress related shutdown in production.

 

[carolwfuller]

Thanks for all your ideas. I am going out several times a day to greet them so they know I am back. Not giving corn treats except a little to get them back in the coop for the night. They come out of hiding to see me but don't seem to head toward the nest as they used to do. Oh well, I will just wait and see. Chickens are nothing if not interesting

 

[Folly's place]

You may need to lock them in their coop and run, at least until late afternoon, for a week or so, in case they are hiding eggs somewhere.
Mary

 

[carolwfuller]

Ill give that a try tomorrow