Buff Orpington stopped laying

[spoulos]

I got 4 baby chicks in March (2 white leghorns and 2 Buff Orpingtons). The Buff's started laying in late August, but around mid-Oct one of the Buff's was very lethargic and wasn't eating. I separated her from the flock and thought maybe she was egg bond but really didn't know what was going on. For several days I give her Epson salt baths (which she enjoyed) and slowing she recovered after a week from whatever was bothering her. Flying around, running and eating again, however she hasn't laid egg since whatever was going on with her. Now with less day light being in the Northeast not sure if that's a factor now or she just won't lay eggs anymore?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum, glad you joined!

I don't know what was going on with her in October. It is possible something happened that will affect her future egg laying, but I think it more likely that the stress of what she was going through started a molt. Are you seeing any loose feathers flying around? If she is molting she will not lay another egg until she is finished, then she will start back up stronger than ever. That could be in a few weeks or it could be when the days get longer in the spring.

I cannot give you any guarantees, with living animals you just don't know. But I think your odds are pretty good she will be OK. Good luck!

 

[spoulos]

Thanks, I usually let me chickens out during my lunch break to free roam around the yard (but they usually hang around me). But the one Buff in question would the last few weeks prior from not appearing to be well would sit be in the nesting box for hours. So I'm wondering if she was showing signs of Broody? She's not doing that now, but also not laying eggs.

 

[nuthatched]

It's winter break, her illness may have made her stop earlier than normal.