Going to have to cull favorite hen :-(

[Mattemma]

Could you put the hen inside in a pet cage for a few weeks? I had some inside for various issues and after a while they laid,so you could see if your hen heals up and lays.

I know it is a pain,but if it was a favorite I would bring it in,bath,cream/spray the rear,and baby it with good food.Just clean that poo up quick or the house will reek.

 

[jjthink]

Since you mention it makes you sad, don't do it. You'll be happy and she'll be happy

Seriously, eggs every day are not that common. I am very happy when mine take a break because I know it's so hard on their bodies. Your hens are likely alternately taking much needed breaks.
JJ

 

[Sassafras]

If it makes you sad to do it why don't you keep her as a pet? Make yourself happy and keep her!

 

[ChooksChick]

If you have a group of hens that is not entirely made up of birds under 2 years, I wouldn't think it unusual AT ALL to not have them all lay on the same day. If they were all young, perhaps, but otherwise it's asking too much. Her legs aren't bright yellow enough to be a non-layer. When yellow-skinned birds stop laying, their legs and face become a much more yellow-tinged color, and I don't see that with her.

One more thing: Not everyone does, but you might consider letting your favorite hens off the hook, even if they aren't laying. My dogs never layed a single egg and I keep them around! If they make you happy, it's really a small cost to keep them.

 

[yinepu]

Are you SURE she's not laying? Have you checked her vent to see if it's open and moist? Have you checked the spacing between her pubic bones (you should be able to get three fingers between the bones if she is laying).. by the look of her legs it tells me she is either laying or has been rather recently.. they tend to lose the color in their legs when they have been laying heavily

 

[yinepu]

Quote:
Not really.. a lot of things can have an effect on laying.. if it's too hot out .. if the birds have been stressed.. if they are moulting.. even change of daylight can affect their laying..
I would say (without having seen the rest of your birds) that if you're getting 4 or 5 eggs a day it's a pretty good average.. would actually expect it to slack off in the winter or if they go through a moult

 

[allieloveschickens]

I had three BRs and they didn't all lay every day either, seemed like they took turns taking days off

I usually got two a day, sometimes three, and sometimes only 1! It could be she is laying some days and another hen is taking a day off. If you like her then keep her!

 

[carrlr]

I currently have 10 layers and it's a rare day to get 10. Usually I get 8. It generally takes 26 hours for an egg to develope. That's why with one hen you can get them a little later each day, and then they make skip a day or two. If it makes you sad, I would say keep her. Best wishes on your decision.

 

[Fowl_Odor002]

I would give her one last chance before sending her off to freezer camp.
I would put her in a chicken tractor by herself for a few days to see if she lays an egg.
An egg earns her another 12 months in the flock. No egg, it's off to freezer camp.

They are called "dual purpose" birds for a reason, but I would give her one last chance.
It's only fair.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

I am just going to say that I also have six hens and have also never gotten 6 eggs in one day. All chickens take a little break and maybe yours are all just taking turns. I would hate for you to cull tour hen only to find that you still don't get five eggs a day sometimes.