- Aug 25, 2012
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So, it is a very small "flock" of 3 remaining chickens. Two of them are 3 years old, one of them is 8 years old. The 8 year old was still laying up until a few months ago. She started to have a hard time walking, then eventually stopped walking altogether. Because she still acted fine, but just didn't walk, we took her to the vet who said she had arthritis pretty badly in her feet. We have been trying glucosamine in her daily water, but it has done little to nothing to help. We still pamper her for now because she otherwise acts pretty happy, but we may have to put her down, since we have to carry her everywhere.
All that said, shortly after we started pampering the old chicken, the two younger chickens stopped laying. Period. Not a single egg for months now. Granted we have had a couple of good heat waves, then smoke from the fires (in CA). But it began before that, and continues after. We let them free range, but it is a small enough area that we have scoured it to see if they are laying outside the nest boxes, but have found nothing.Could the sick chicken be affecting their laying behavior? Any other thoughts?
All that said, shortly after we started pampering the old chicken, the two younger chickens stopped laying. Period. Not a single egg for months now. Granted we have had a couple of good heat waves, then smoke from the fires (in CA). But it began before that, and continues after. We let them free range, but it is a small enough area that we have scoured it to see if they are laying outside the nest boxes, but have found nothing.Could the sick chicken be affecting their laying behavior? Any other thoughts?
