EE pullet laid one egg and then stopped?

[lysmandor]

I have 4 pullets (21 weeks today) - 2 BOs, 1 EE and 1 SS. The speckled sussex has been consistently laying for over 2 weeks now, 4 eggs a week. The easter egger laid just one egg last Sunday (8 days ago!) and nothing since - it was green, so I know it had to come from her. It was laid in the coop, although not in the nest box. The pullet is otherwise acting normal - active, running around, eating great, etc.

Is it possible that she laid just the one and then has stopped for now? I know pullets can be irregular to start with, but 8 days between egg 1 and 2 seems extreme.

They are free ranged over a fenced acre, so it is possible that she's hiding them somewhere, although I've spent a good amount of time looking and haven't found anything. I also did separate out a cockerel that hatched with them on Tuesday because he was being very rough with them (made one of the BO bleed and was pulling out a lot of feathers), so I suppose that stress could be involved, although they all seem much calmer and less stressed without him chasing them around.

Should I worry that something is wrong with her, or just wait her out? I did close them in the coop for 3 days to see if any green eggs appeared, but no luck.

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would wait for a while longer. When pullets first start laying, it can be a while between eggs. One of my hens laid an egg, and then didn't lay anything for about 2 weeks.

 

[lysmandor]

I would wait for a while longer. When pullets first start laying, it can be a while between eggs. One of my hens laid an egg, and then didn't lay anything for about 2 weeks.

That's reassuring! I almost feel that she decided not to do this egglaying thing. I just wasn't sure it was abnormal to have such a long break - her first egg was good sized and normal looking.

 

[lysmandor]

Still no egg! It's been 13 days since the first egg... And none since. Should I be worried at some point? I have been leaving them closed up in the coop/run (normally they free range most of the day) and no sign of an egg.

 

[Kluckners]

My Barred Rock laid three eggs in a week... and then stopped and it’s been over 3 weeks since the last one.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I knew my pullet was laying but not in the coop. It took me about a week to find the nest and it was full of her eggs! And the little stinker keeps making new nests in the garden and I have to go on an Easter Egg Hunt!

 

[HappyClucker7]

Still no egg! It's been 13 days since the first egg... And none since. Should I be worried at some point? I have been leaving them closed up in the coop/run (normally they free range most of the day) and no sign of an egg.

I wouldn't worry yet. She just needs some more time.

 

[lysmandor]

Finally laid that second egg, and came back to the nest box from free ranging too! 15 days later... hopefully her eggs get a little more frequent. My speckled sussex pullet (same age), meanwhile, is on day 8 in a row!

 

[Dwoocoolchic]

My 0live Easter egger went days without laying then surprise another … made me smile. Now I understand the Green Eggs & ham story.