Egg laying after broody

[Anabariful]

I have a year old Buff Orpington hen go broody and hatch three eggs in February/March. She has "weaned" the chicks about a month ago and everything has returned to normal except she still isn't laying. When can I expect her to start laying again?

 

[speckledhen]

There is no certain time table. She has probably lost a lot of weight and needs to get her condition back, which is one factor in that.

If my hen has not lost a lot of weight, if I've made sure she got extra protein all through the incubation, she usually begins laying almost as soon as she rejects the chicks, sometimes just before that.

 

[Anabariful]

Thanks! She was definitely smaller after the hatch so I will be beefing her back up. She is also cage free/free range so it's a possibility that she has started hiding them?

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks! She was definitely smaller after the hatch so I will be beefing her back up. She is also cage free/free range so it's a possibility that she has started hiding them?

Well, of course, that's possible, but if she always laid her eggs in a nest before, she'd probably do it again. I have had some hens who did not lay immediately after they weaned the chicks, so she will in time. Just make sure you keep giving her good food and get her back into condition.

 

[Anabariful]

Well, of course, that's possible, but if she always laid her eggs in a nest before, she'd probably do it again. I have had some hens who did not lay immediately after they weaned the chicks, so she will in time. Just make sure you keep giving her good food and get her back into condition.

Will do! Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

You're welcome. Good luck with her!