Hen laid her first egg a week ago and not another one since

[kwale86]

I have 3 five month old hens (1 RIR and 2 Auracanas) The RIR laid her first egg in the nest box last week (probably 6 days ago) and has yet to lay another one. Is this normal? She seems to be in good health, eating and acting normal otherwise.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, it's normal. Had one once who waited two weeks between the first and second eggs. Takes awhile to get into normal production sometimes.

 

[kwale86]

Thanks. If figured it was normal but they free range during the day so I was hoping she wasnt out laying eggs somewhere else where I would never find them.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Well, that's possible, too. You can go on an Easter egg hunt, or just wait and see! I'd take the lazy route and wait a month or so.

 

[kwale86]

The lazy route is well traveled around here.

 

[PepsNick]

Don't worry. Happens a lot. I know folks who waited 4 months in between first and second. Sorry, didn't mean to burst your bubble.

 

[Sportsterjeep]

Quote:
I've had pullets that free range lay wherever they felt like. I kept them locked in for a week or two till they got the hang of where to lay, then let them free range again. Nothing like weeding a garden bed and finding eggs and nests kicked out in the mulch....

 

[speckledhen]

I've never had one single issue with free rangers laying out on the property. They run back to the coop to lay every time. Not sure why they are so good about it, but they are.