EE hen doesn't lay anymore?

[littlefarmgirl9]

I have seven chickens, two of which are Easter Eggers. One of them, Tiger, seems to have stopped laying. She is only two years old as of this past May, but we haven't gotten two blue eggs in a day for about six months. Also, she didn't molt last fall and she is molting super lightly this year; I've only seen her lose about 15 feathers. She sat in the box a few times over the summer, but always jumped out leaving no sign of an egg. Tiger hasn't been broody; in fact, she left the nest box really quickly when someone came in. She has not been acting lethargic or at all strange, and she gets the same diet as the others. Actually, Tiger is one of my chubbier girls. I have never caught her sneaking off to a corner or something to lay, and like I mentioned she has been in the boxes.
Can anyone give me an idea? Any help is appreciated!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

EE can be sporadic layers. Best production is usually seen the first season. What are you feeding them? A higher protein feed can help optimize laying, 18-22%. Layer ration will often leave them deficient.

Do you birds get extra lighting which can mess up molts and sometimes laying?

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

It gets cold here in winter, so when it is way below zero we put a heat lamp in the coop. I am not sure about the protein content, it is 18 I think but I will have to check. I'm just confused because Cocoa, my other EE, and the other five lay a lot better!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The light will mess them up. Chickens don't need extra heat in winter. We get down into the -20's and my chickens do fine. It's important to let them acclimate. The heat lamp can interfere with with them being able to handle winter temperatures too.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

If she is over weight that can cause problems too. Not sure optimal weight for an EE but could be worth looking in to.

 

[aart]

It gets cold here in winter, so when it is way below zero we put a heat lamp in the coop. I am not sure about the protein content, it is 18 I think but I will have to check. I'm just confused because Cocoa, my other EE, and the other five lay a lot better!

What is your general geographical location?
Some birds are just not great layers.....every flock has one or two.

 

[littlefarmgirl9]

I live in the Midwestern US. Tiger isn't really overweight, she seems to be pretty healthy. So is there anything I could feed her or do for her? I figured there wouldn't be much I could change, since the rest of my hens are fine, so I assumed it was internal.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would consider her a candidate for culling. Get new chicks in the spring and get rid of poor producers in the fall is my plan. Of course I have not yet had to actually implement my plan...

Good luck

Gary

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Some chickens have reproductive issues. Internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis. I would look up some reproductive issues and their symptoms.

Sometimes hens just slow down. Keep an eye on her.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

When hens are grossly overweight they lay few if any eggs.