Hen not laying

[butterfliesdoku]

Hi everyone,
I have a Red Ranger hen that has been sitting in the nest box once a day since the 24th and I am worried that she may be eggbound.
So far she looks completely fine, no droopy feathers and she is not stressed when in the nest box, she's just not laying.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi everyone,
I have a Red Ranger hen that has been sitting in the nest box once a day since the 24th and I am worried that she may be eggbound.
So far she looks completely fine, no droopy feathers and she is not stressed when in the nest box, she's just not laying.

How old is your hen?
Has she been a good consistent layer?
Does she just go sit for a while, then go about her business and rejoin the flock or is she staying in the nesting box?
Have you gloved up, greased up and checked her vent to see if you can feel an egg?
What type of feed/treats do you give her?
Was she originally a meat bird that you kept so she could lay eggs for you?

 

[butterfliesdoku]

How old is your hen?
Has she been a good consistent layer?
Does she just go sit for a while, then go about her business and rejoin the flock or is she staying in the nesting box?
Have you gloved up, greased up and checked her vent to see if you can feel an egg?
What type of feed/treats do you give her?
Was she originally a meat bird that you kept so she could lay eggs for you?

She is 10 months and usually lays 5-6 eggs a week. She sits once a day for like 2 hours. I haven't checked her. My girls get gamebird feed in the morning and then free range the rest of the day. There's oyster shell available at all times. She is considered a meat breed. We originally had 8 but we've been butchering those that have put on a lot of weight and are showing signs of slightly swollen feet or trouble breathing after flying/running. She's our last Red Ranger.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is 10 months and usually lays 5-6 eggs a week. She sits once a day for like 2 hours. I haven't checked her. My girls get gamebird feed in the morning and then free range the rest of the day. There's oyster shell available at all times. She is considered a meat breed. We originally had 8 but we've been butchering those that have put on a lot of weight and are showing signs of slightly swollen feet or trouble breathing after flying/running. She's our last Red Ranger.

5-6 eggs a week is good!
I know some people do keep them longer than "butchering age" and with careful monitoring they sometimes do o.k. as laying hens.
I would check to make sure that she isn't egg bound. But I think if it's been going on for 4 days you would be seeing symptoms like walking like a penguin, straining, loss of appetite, etc.
It's a mystery.
Does she eat and drink good? No other symptoms besides the sitting for around 2hours a day?

I'm going to provide you a link about egg binding, just in case.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html

 

[butterfliesdoku]

5-6 eggs a week is good!
I know some people do keep them longer than "butchering age" and with careful monitoring they sometimes do o.k. as laying hens.
I would check to make sure that she isn't egg bound. But I think if it's been going on for 4 days you would be seeing symptoms like walking like a penguin, straining, loss of appetite, etc.
It's a mystery.
Does she eat and drink good? No other symptoms besides the sitting for around 2hours a day?

I'm going to provide you a link about egg binding, just in case.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html

Yup no other symptoms. She looks pretty care free and is eating and drinking like the rest of them, she's just been sitting in the nest box daily with no results. I didn't see her sit down today actually. Well, since she still looks fine I guess i'll just be keeping an eye on her. Thank you for taking the time to help me.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No problem!

Just to cover all bases, I found this thread here on BYC. It is an older thread, but may be worth a quick read. The OP had "Freedom Rangers" which are similar to your Red Ranger. If I understand correctly different hatcheries have similar "Ranger" breeds, but the name is exclusive. Anyway she decided to keep 5 for layers to experiment and she gives updates. It's a fairly quick read if you.

Hope your girl continues to have health!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735932/freedom-rangers-as-laying-hens-impressed-so-far

 

[butterfliesdoku]

Thank you for the link. One of our original 8 laid 3 times a week and ALWAYS a double yolker! I was pretty upset when we had to butcher her (last month) because she was having difficulties with her weight but as the thread said, they have a ridiculous amount of body fat if not butchered at the appropriate age/weight.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the link. One of our original 8 laid 3 times a week and ALWAYS a double yolker! I was pretty upset when we had to butcher her (last month) because she was having difficulties with her weight but as the thread said, they have a ridiculous amount of body fat if not butchered at the appropriate age/weight.

This is what I am wondering about the girl you are asking about.
If she is just feeling a bit "off" or unfortunately it is a sign that further difficulties are in store.

I suppose time will tell.

 

[aart]

Curious.... as to what the protein level of the game bird feed is and what other foods do they get other than free ranging?

I have a few birds that will sit the nest daily without laying.

Have you examined her vent and abdomen for any irregularities?

 

[butterfliesdoku]

Curious.... as to what the protein level of the game bird feed is and what other foods do they get other than free ranging?

I have a few birds that will sit the nest daily without laying.

Have you examined her vent and abdomen for any irregularities? 

The game bird feed is 13.5% protein. When they free range they eat grass and the bugs I've seen them eat are Mantis, earth worms and Jerusalem crickets. She did just lay a normal looking egg yesterday so I'm feeling relieved and it looks like she might lay again today, she's in the nest box now as I'm typing this.