Hen not laying after intro of pullets

[kle2684]

I have a Brahama, about 15 months old, that hasn't laid since 3/30/18. I had her living inside for the winter as her coopmates were beating her up. She laid all winter long. I brought home 4 chicks March 28 and kept their brooder close to her cage. In May, I moved them all outside to their brand new coop. They are all doing great- eating, drinking and getting along fine. My only concern is that my hen stopped laying! She hasn't laid since the second day the chicks were home. Ideas?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You had her in the house all winter? Was she kept somewhere where she was under artificial lights so her "daylight" was extended? That can mess up their natural rhythm. Generally hens lay less through winter and even stop for months, than production ramps up in spring before slowing as summer heats up.

My experiences with Brahma is they don't lay a lot, though you should see a few eggs here and there out of her.

Stress will halt laying. Birds need to feel safe to lay so often when new birds are added hens can stop laying from the stress.

You didn't mention what you are feeding. Hens need a minimum of 16% daily protein to keep up laying. I prefer a higher amount which can help to optimize laying.

Do your birds free range? There's always the possibility of a hidden nest somewhere if they do.

 

[kle2684]

Thanks for the response! She did not necessarily lay regularly through the winter but at least a few eggs a week. After the new additions, she laid two very, very, very small eggs and that was it. Protein content in food is 16% and she does not free range. Maybe she is breaking now since she didn't take a break all winter?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the response! She did not necessarily lay regularly through the winter but at least a few eggs a week. After the new additions, she laid two very, very, very small eggs and that was it. Protein content in food is 16% and she does not free range. Maybe she is breaking now since she didn't take a break all winter?

I personally like to feed a 16-22%. Since yours doesn't range 18% may be best. Do you add extra stuff or do they just get the ration?

Small eggs can happen as the system shuts down, so perhaps her body went into a break. Giving her a higher protein ration may jump start her system.

Most hens older than a year will quit laying to molt, generally between August and December. So it's possible she may go into an early molt too. Feeding a higher protein ration during the molt is always best too.