Cleaned out coop, now no eggs

[mom3]

My 2 hens were laying just fine, an egg a day.

Then I cleaned their coop out and rinsed it down and put fresh straw/hay in there. Same stuff they had in there before.

But since I did that, I've gotten no eggs. That was Sunday.

Also, they are not roaming out onto the lawn. They just sit in the fenced in part, even though their gate to the backyard is open.

Help!!

 

[LynnGrigg]

Change can probably do that. Give em a few days. They'll start laying again. When I have brought home purchased laying hens it has taken as long as two weeks for them to start laying for me. I think yours will readjust to the clean coop.

 

[arlee453]

I can relate to your chickens... I have 4 kids and if I came in one day and my house was spotlessly clean, I'd just sit around in shock and look at it for at least 2-3 days too!

Susan

 

[Newchickenmom&kids]

 

[mom3]

Quote:

 

[mom3]

Still no eggs. The main layer was following me around today, outside of the pen. I picked her up and checked her vent and it seems swollen. It also appears her butt is dragging alittle.

THe other one isn't laying either, but she looks fine.

A friend who has chickens said when they get old, they stop laying. These are the hens I got when I returned my 6 that ended up being roosters. THe farmer gave me 2 hens to keep my kids happy.

They do look worn down. Is it possible they are just done laying?

I am really getting concerned. Any ideas? Please?

I have to add: They have messed the coop up worse then before! Wow. THey are big blobs of chicken poo in there now. It didn't seem that bad before!

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

I have noticed that if there is not enough hay, the go on strike LOL
I don't know if this will help or not, but similar situation.... When I put in the new hay... I didnt put the normal amount and my hens did not like that... So I put in more hay and went ahead and myself started the "bowl shape" for the nest. After that... they started laying again.

 

[rooster-red]

Maybe they're redecorating?

 

[silkiechicken]

Don't worry. Older hens don't stop laying, they just slow down. I bet the change is waht did it. Also, by chance, you could have cleaned it out just in time for cooler weather, molting, and shorter day lengths... all things that cause laying to slow down or stop. Make sure since it's so clean too, that they didn't up and hide their eggs. Put a golf ball where eggs used to be laid. Good luck!