Easter Egger hunt

[Chickengene]

I have a two year old Easter Egger that seems to have stopped laying. Is it possible that the stress from the almost constant abuse from the new "evil twins" Wyandottes could be the reason?
I also started daily free range. Although that has reduced my layer pellets consumption by probably 90% it doesn't seem to have much impact on the laying of the other four birds.
I might also need to add; Penny, the Easter Egger was the first to start laying again this year. She gave me 3 or 4 eggs near the end of February, but not one in March.
I spend most of my time in the back yard, unless it is raining, and have not seen or heard anybody trying to lay anyplace but the layer boxes.

 

[Trish1974]

Did you notice this after you started free ranging? Maybe Penny is laying somewhere outside since the Wyandottes bully her?

 

[Cryss]

I have to follow. My EE hasn't laid since Labor Day. She had endured a bout of bullying from a Barred Rock but that's been resolved. Interestingly enough her best friend is a Silver Laced Wyandotte. When she was being bullied she would run to the SLW to hide behind her.

 

[aart]

Did you notice this after you started free ranging? Maybe Penny is laying somewhere outside since the Wyandottes bully her?

My thoughts exactly^^^.

Check her over,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

if she passes, lock em up:
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 a week or so 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 and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, 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.

 

[Chickengene]

Did you notice this after you started free ranging? Maybe Penny is laying somewhere outside since the Wyandottes bully her?

No, I began free ranging last fall. As I said I am probably working in the backyard with them six or seven hours a day. Haven't seen or heard anyone called outside the coop.

 

[Chickengene]

My thoughts exactly^^^.

Check her over,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

if she passes, lock em up:
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 a week or so 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 and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, 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.

My thoughts exactly^^^.

Check her over,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

if she passes, lock em up:
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 a week or so 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 and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, 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.

I will have to check the vents if just for the know how in case I need to.
She has been laying in the nesting boxes for a year. She is forced to sleep in one of the boxes due to the bullying. She layed three or four eggs back in February, maybe two weeks ahead of everyone else.
Actually now that you mention it, I did keep them cooped up till mid afternoon for a few weeks to make sure I wasn't catching them in time.
I am getting three eggs a day now. All in the boxes. Two light brown from the twins and one darker brown from one of the two redish hens.

 

[aart]

She is forced to sleep in one of the boxes due to the bullying.

This could be a factor.
Not enough space in the coop?

 

[Chickengene]

Miss Penny my Easter Egger finally laid an egg today. But it covered in blood.
What does that indicate?
Of all my birds she restarted first. I would guess second or third week of February. She laid maybe five eggs then quit again. Today was the first since feFebrua. The egg wad completely intacr and a decent firm she'll just bloody.

 

[Chickengene]

This could be a factor.
Not enough space in the coop?

6 x 10 with 3-,6' roosts and 3-12" x 12" x14" layer boxes with attached 8' x 16' run

 

[Jjmanchester]

Could you have an egg eater?