Alpha hen not laying?

[artsygirl]

I had a question for my friend who has three chickens (RIR). She was wondering if the alpha hen who would boss the others around might stop laying eggs as she takes over the roosters position? She doesn't not have a rooster. But she's only getting one or two a day and she was wondering if it would be that, spring is pretty much here now, so I don't think it's the seasons still right? We did experience a loss early this year, but the seem to be over it but would that disrupt them?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Is she crowing?
They can be alpha and still lay. They usually turn male (crowing and growing cock feathers) when their one functioning ovary fails and hormones develop male qualities.
She may just be taking a break.

 

[artsygirl]

Ok thanks. I do not believe she is crowing.