Blue Andulasion - laying question

[mamahen86]

My EE has been like clockwork since she started laying. Every day around the same time. But my blue laid her first egg on sept 3 and has yet to lay another one! Is that normal?? I've checked all around the back yard and coop to see if she's laying them somewhere else but nothing. I also notice she is always with the flock, so I don't think she is laying anywhere else. I'm worried something is wrong with her. Or is this typical for this breed?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's not unusual, many hens lay a first egg than it takes a while for a second one. It can also take time for her system to become regular. Every hen is different. Many hens that start this time of year will lay at a decreased rate and won't really start laying until next spring. I wouldn't use egg laying for determining whether a hen is well or not, as many hens start and stop throughout the season. I do look at their overall behavior and whether she seems off or not.

 

[aart]

You might also consider a little 'training'.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 3-4 days (or longer) can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.