Black Star stopped laying; appears totally normally

[Kirkland]

We brought home chickens for the first time just over two weeks ago. We have a Black Star hen, Ameraucana hen, a Polish hen, a black star pullet and Buff Orpington pullet, so 5 total of which we expect laying from 2 (the BS and the A). The Ameraucana lays nearly every day. The Black Star laid 5 perfect eggs the first week, but it has now been 8 days since we have seen an egg from her.

The Star seems totally fine (as far as we can tell with our limited experience). She is eating, drinking, scratching, dusting, letting us handle her, finding insects, and appears to be in no distress. We have watched the feed (layers pellets), water and oyster shells very carefully. Her abdomen is soft and she doesn't seem egg bound to us. Her feathers are normal.

What are other causes of a sudden stop to egg laying? If she seems totally fine and all the others are acting normal and the lack of eggs is the only symptom, is there any reason for alarm? We don't mind waiting it out as long as she's OK.

Thanks!

 

[Eastins Eggs]

She probably wants to go broody. Do a search on this site for breaking a broody.

 

[Kirkland]

Thanks for your reply. Is it possible/likely she is broody even if she is not spending any time near the nest boxes during the day?

 

[Judy]

She could be about to become broody, I suppose, but you are right, if she goes broody, she will stay in the nest, with or with out eggs to sit on. She could be about to go into a molt, and they do not usually lay while molting. She could simply be an old hen who does not lay often.

She could simply be reacting to the shock of having been moved, even though she laid when she first arrived. They will have to sort out the flock dynamics unless this exact same group had already been living together with no one else, and maybe even if they had. Chickens do not tolerate change or stress very well, and it does not take much stress for a hen to quit for a time. There could be some other stressor at work. Maybe something happened after the first week that "freaked her out." Did you start digging a pond next to your coop with your backhoe after the first week? Sort of a silly example, but I'm sure you get the idea.

Black Stars are a hybrid, the result of two breeds being crossed. I have read here that hybrids are more likely to revert to the original behavior of broodiness than purebred chickens. I also read here recently about someone who says he has caused hens to become broody many times over the years by simply confining them to a nest almost all day and night. Something you might want to try.

Kind of like a murder mystery novel; you just have to find the key clue. Here's hoping it is not a medical problem. Hope I thought of a hint that will help!

 

[Kirkland]

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply. It is a mystery since no one seems to be picking on her and she seems to be acting like a normal chicken. The lack of laying is the only symptom. So, yes, we'll keep hoping its not a medical problem and let it sort itself hoping the stressor whatever it is goes away as she adapts to her new home. I sure will be relieved when I see those brown eggs again (our other hen lays green)!