Blue Splash Maran lethargic?

[LMT]

Mine is 35 weeks old and has not laid yet. I've never had a maran before and I don't know if she is just a "laid back" chicken or possibly sick. Over the past couple of weeks, I've noticed her just lying down in the yard. She will get up and hunt and peck and eat and drink. Her comb is a beautiful red. She's just not as active as the others. She is low man on the totem pole and always comes to me and hangs out with me when I'm outside. I've checked her for lice, etc but have not seen anything on her. I'm hoping she's just so laid back that laying an egg hasn't occurred to her and that there isn't anything else going on. Is this normal behavior for a maran?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Mine haven't been laid back like that. They do tend to go broody. Is she exhibiting any sort of brooding behavior? Has she possibly been stashing eggs somewhere?

She should be laying by 35 weeks even with the fact that Marans tend to mature more slowly. The days are getting shorter, but she should have come into lay by 24 weeks, so possibly could have laid a few (in a stash) then stopped laying to go broody or due to shorter days (depending upon where you live).

But my days aren't that short yet (in Northern Oregon around the 45th parallel), so I would worm her or possibly consider coccidiosis. That can be a lurking infestation that causes them to be lethargic.

So I'm inclined to think something is off with her.

LofMc

 

[aart]

I would think if she was ill her comb wouldn't be bright red?
Have you examined her vent and belly, parting the feathers right down to the skin?

Do you free range?
Do you have other birds of the same breed and batch that are laying?

Where did you get your Marans..hatchery birds are more likely to lay earlier than serious breeder lines. I have read of Marans that do not lay until 8-9-10 or more months.

I use New Country Organic Layer feed which they love.

How long have you been feeding layer? They really shouldn't be on layer feed until they are actually laying, they need more protein to develop fully and the extra calcium is not great for them.

 

[azygous]

The behavior can be explained by temperament and the seasonal changes in light availability. Some individuals are simply more sensitive to light changes than others, and some individuals simply can be lazy lay-abouts.

But it would be a mistake to assume everything is fine and dandy. Watch for other symptoms such as signs she could be in pain - tail held low and flat. Also monitor her poop. Poop is one of the best clues to a chicken's well-being than just about anything. If she is producing watery, yellow poop, she may be sick.

As Aart pointed out, though, a red comb is usually a sign of good health and also a sign hormones are flowing. Your hen may simply be on the threshold of laying and patience is all that is required in this particular case.