Hen hasn't laid in a few days

[SheppFamilyFlock]

I have 2 laying hens, about a year old. They both started laying in December and have been laying close to an egg a day each since then. One hen has recently hatched an egg (only one out of the clutch made it, sadly) so I'm down to one layer. She hasn't laid an egg in the last 4 days. She seems normal otherwise, she's out and about eating bugs and doing her thing. Should I be worried? She's never gone this long without laying but this is my first flock so I still have a lot to learn. They both laid consistently all winter... Could she be taking her egg vacation now? Seems unlikely as it's light for close to 20 hours a day right now lol. She doesn't seem to be showing any symptoms of being eggbound but is it possible for them to act normally and still be having that issue?

 

[Debbie292d]

A lot of folks have been reporting the same issue. Some are saying the overly wet spring may have something to do with it.

We feed ours layer crumbles (silkies) mixed with all flock, then put oyster shell in separate dish. They aren't the greatest layers, but for the most part have been consistent with 4/5 a week, and a little slower in the winter.

Yours could be molting too. If so, you should start seeing feathers laying around, more than usual.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is she still raising this chick that was hatched? Hens often don't go back to laying until they're ready to wean the chick.

 

[Lillith37]

If she is still raising the chick then she won’t be laying and you don’t need to worry.

I wrote an article about reproductive health in chickens and it includes how to do a health check for reproductive issues and also what to look out for/warning signs. You can read it if you want and hopefully it might give you a better sense of the situation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/reproductive-health-in-chickens.79238/

 

[SheppFamilyFlock]

Sorry all, I just reread what I wrote and I did not explain it very well at all I meant to ask about the hen that was not broody. She did finally lay an egg though so I'm less concerned now! Thanks for the replies!

Unfortunately the chick died today, so I am wondering how long we will be waiting for the broody girl to go back to laying now.

Regarding molting, I had read that chickens don't molt until they are about 18 months old, and that spring molts are not so common. Is that true? I figured they would molt for the first time this fall. There are feathers everywhere honestly but there always are. We also have some 10 week old chicks in there who seem to be shedding feathers also.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Regarding molting, I had read that chickens don't molt until they are about 18 months old, and that spring molts are not so common. Is that true? I figured they would molt for the first time this fall. There are feathers everywhere honestly but there always are. We also have some 10 week old chicks in there who seem to be shedding feathers also.

Most molts occur in fall but you can always get some out of season molters. Chicks go through multiple juvenile molts so not unusual to notice an increase in fallen chick feathers or pinfeathers on their bodies.