Hen Cackled but no egg

[chickenman111]

My hens are a year and a half old, they started laying at 5 months, and laid for about 8 months. Had several problems causing them to quit, molting, and weasel attacks. Now my hens combs are turning back bright red, their arranging their nest, and today one of the hens cackled, but no egg. Is she just getting ready to start back but not quite ready? any help is appreciated.

 

[cackleberrycam]

Do you free range your chickens? If so, she could have made a nest outside somewhere and layed there instead.
If so, then I would put a golf ball in the nest so that they think it is an egg and will want to lay there instead of outside.
I hope this helps!

 

[DuckRaiser]

Yes, if they are free range they probably lay somewhere else, my chickens kept on cackling but there was no egg, then I finally found their egg hiding spot!

 

[cackleberrycam]

Yes, if they are free range they probably lay somewhere else, my chickens kept on cackling but there was no egg, then I finally found their egg hiding spot!

EGGxactly what I mean!

 

[chickenman111]

Thanks for all the help, but my chickens are in a coop, sorry I meant to put that in the question but I was typing in a hurry.

 

[DuckRaiser]

Thanks for all the help, but my chickens are in a coop, sorry I meant to put that in the question but I was typing in a hurry.

Are they in the coop everyday, all the time?

 

[chickenman111]

yep, have to. too many cats and dogs running loose.

 

[chickenman111]

their in there all the time, I haven't found any hidden nests, any ideas?

 

[DuckRaiser]

their in there all the time, I haven't found any hidden nests, any ideas?

Maybe they saw something...

Maybe a snake or mouse got in.

 

[GarthRyan]

The will make the exact noise that they make after laying an egg when they get startled. If I move something too quick or lets say adjust my jacket or take it off they'll all cackle, even the roosters! So maybe something in the coop moved or maybe one chicken startled another?