Chickens stopped laying

[MrsCruse]

I think I screwed up! We have three Rhode Island reds in one pen and a Cornish hen in the other. the RI reds give three big brown eggs per day and the Cornish gives one little white one.

My stupid self moved some of the bedding in the Cornish hen's haying hut to the RI reds' laying hut and then stopped laying. I think they smelled the other hen. So....after five days of no eggs....I emptied out that bedding and I'm headed to Tractor Supply for fresh stuff.

Do ya'll think that's what happened?

I'm in Georgia and it's been hotter than the Devil's vacation getaway BUT they have been laying through it. It has also rained A LOT the past week or so. Just giving ya'll all the Intel.

Sharon

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

after five days of no eggs....

Do ya'll think that's what happened?

No, I don't. I assume your Cornish is still laying.

I do not think this is your cause but I'll mention it. Are you seeing feathers floating around? Sometimes changes can cause a molt, but that would be unlikely for all three of yours to be affected like that.

My first guess is that they are hiding a nest on you. Even in a small coop and run they can be really creative in hiding nests. This is very often why we think they are not laying.

Some critters eat eggs. Most leave a clue behind like bits of eggshell or wet spots. Snakes, canines, and humans do not leave clues. Since it is every day (good information, thanks) it is not a snake. A snake eats several eggs and then goes somewhere to digest them. if it is every two or three days consider a snake, but not if it is every day.

A fox or coyote would probably be more interested in your hens than the eggs so probably not them. A dog may not bother the hens but will sometimes eat eggs. Does a dog have access?

A human of often not a stranger. it can even be someone playing a practical joke on you. Something for you to consider.

So what can you do? If your coop is big enough you can lock them in the coop for a couple of days to see if you have locked them away from a hidden nest or locked out an egg eater. Or lock them in your coop and run if they free range.

You can discreetly mark an egg or two and leave them down there. If they disappear something is getting them.

It is possible they are just on strike for a few days and will crank back up soon. That happens occasionally. Good luck!