Hen Not Laying or Wanting Eggshells

[TopCharizard]

My year+ JG hen has stopped laying all together after a couple small incidences. She was the consistent one until now. Even her sister who has been through more is back to laying. We've looked all across and around the yard and have found no signs of other nests or eggs.
Now I have four young birds who can't be on layer feed yet so all six birds are on chick feed. I've been separately giving the older two girls eggshells for the boost of calcium but now the one not laying is refusing to eat them, whereas her egg-laying sister scarfs them down. Other than that she seems healthy and active so I'm not sure what to do and haven't really found anything helpful or know what else to look for, or if there's really too much of a problem at all.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could be she's taking a break or even shutting down for the season. Some will begin molting in the next few weeks.

You should offer oyster shells as they stay in the body longer and are available longer. Eggshells just pass through. Put out a separate bowl of oyster shells and they will eat them as necessary. A hen not laying doesn't need extra calcium so it isn't surprising you hen isn't eating them if she isn't laying.

 

[TopCharizard]

Could be she's taking a break or even shutting down for the season. Some will begin molting in the next few weeks.

You should offer oyster shells as they stay in the body longer and are available longer. Eggshells just pass through. Put out a separate bowl of oyster shells and they will eat them as necessary. A hen not laying doesn't need extra calcium so it isn't surprising you hen isn't eating them if she isn't laying.

That's what crossed my mind because they did a tiny molt and now nothing, then we started getting eggs (well egg a day) and was confused. All birds are different I guess! They were also dependable layers last year through the colder months but if her body says she needs a break then so be it.

I had oyster shells but she didn't really touch them either but I was planning on getting a new supply of it anyway because a family friend insists on them definitely having them. Should I try and convince her (if there's a way if there could be issues in the future) or she'll just pick at when needed?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's what crossed my mind because they did a tiny molt and now nothing, then we started getting eggs (well egg a day) and was confused. All birds are different I guess! They were also dependable layers last year through the colder months but if her body says she needs a break then so be it.

I had oyster shells but she didn't really touch them either but I was planning on getting a new supply of it anyway because a family friend insists on them definitely having them. Should I try and convince her (if there's a way if there could be issues in the future) or she'll just pick at when needed?

Most hens lay straight through their first winter at a decreased rate generally. The second year they stop to molt and recover. Generally between August and December.

Hens will eat the oyster shells as they need them. Some need more than others depending on production. I just put them out. They often don't eat very much of it. I probably buy around 2-3 bags a year, 50 pounds each, for my more than 100 hens of various species. Only a couple of hens won't eat much over the course of the season.

 

[TopCharizard]

Most hens lay straight through their first winter at a decreased rate generally. The second year they stop to molt and recover. Generally between August and December.

Hens will eat the oyster shells as they need them. Some need more than others depending on production. I just put them out. They often don't eat very much of it. I probably buy around 2-3 bags a year, 50 pounds each, for my more than 100 hens of various species. Only a couple of hens won't eat much over the course of the season.

Ah, the more ya know! Thank you. One more quick question though. So if they pick at it when needed, will it be ok for it to sit out or will the younger ones get into it?

I would have a bag now but the family friend got the oyster shells when he was on his motorcycle and the bag fell and shredded in the chain. That's a crazy story for another thread though

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always leave oyster shells out. They will crave them when they need them so they will seek them out. Kinda like I crave oranges sometimes because I probably need vitamin C. Chicks should mostly ignore them as long as there is grit available in some form.

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

How hot is it?

 

[TopCharizard]

I always leave oyster shells out. They will crave them when they need them so they will seek them out. Kinda like I crave oranges sometimes because I probably need vitamin C. Chicks should mostly ignore them as long as there is grit available in some form.

Yup grit is available for the taking
Thank you very much for the help

 

[TopCharizard]

How hot is it?

Here in SE PA It's been in the 90s with high humidity many of the days. They have plenty of shade and water sources

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

She might just be stressed from the heat so she will take a break then start laying golf ball eggs dor a qhile till it cools off.