Hen sits but doesn't lay

[Lavender6]

I have a lavender orpington that has been laying 5 to six eggs a week. For the last 3 days she has sat on her nest for an hour or more but still doesn't lay an egg. She hasn't been walking like a penguin or doesn't act differently but it is so unusual. I know they slow down in shorter days but is this normal?

 

[Lavender6]

I have a lavender orpington that has been laying 5 to six eggs a week. For the last 3 days she has sat on her nest for an hour or more but still doesn't lay an egg. She hasn't been walking like a penguin or doesn't act differently but it is so unusual. I know they slow down in shorter days but is this normal?

OH AND BTW she is about 7 to 8 mo this old. She has been wormed.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

How does she act if you try to move her off of the nest? Is she maybe broody? The days are getting shorter so maybe her laying is reducing or stopping for winter? Is she molting?

 

[Lavender6]

No, she hasn't went through melting yet. She acts normal. She is my inquisitive one. Gets into everything. She just quit! Has only been laying about 1 and 1/2 months and my best producer of eggs. I actually think this is her 4th day. She is fine taking her off the nest.. it is just weird

 

[Lavender6]

I have oyster shells, grit, 16% food. They get a handful of oats and a handful of corn, one in the morning and night. I put Vitamins in their water once a week

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

It may be the lower sunlight she's getting. It takes 26hrs to produce an egg and they need about 16hrs of light a day to produce consistently. Maybe tomorrow morning time the amount of light she is getting to see if it's a reduced light situation? If that's the case (not enough light) the options are artificial light or natural body cycle, the best answer there is up to you.

 

[aart]

Shortening days can affect even the pullets(first year layers).
Many will sit in nest but not lay.
She may have a partial molt around the neck.
As long as she's eating/drinking/pooping/moving around OK, I'd not worry.

 

[Lavender6]

She just laid. It is really late for her. She was always the first to jump in the nest, usually before she eats.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!! Y'all are awesome

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

No problem, glad we could help you get some worry out. I fuss over my girls any sneeze and they get checked over like they're dying. I tend to want to have excuses to cuddle them too. At this point I think one of my girls has allergies or is sneezing on purpose. ha. If you have any other things come up post or message anytime this forum is here to get help, chat, brag whatever.

 

[Lavender6]

No problem, glad we could help you get some worry out. I fuss over my girls any sneeze and they get checked over like they're dying. I tend to want to have excuses to cuddle them too. At this point I think one of my girls has allergies or is sneezing on purpose. ha. If you have any other things come up post or message anytime this forum is here to get help, chat, brag whatever.

TY! I Checked all their vents today, trimmed the hair around it and put some 7 dust on them. They had red mites, Northern fowl mites along with lice.. Triple whammy! Also, a respiratory infection and 1 had Sour Crop!!!! I was naive and absolutely ignorant of raising chickens. She took advantage of me BIG TIME! I have spent a fortune, put hours into the care of the babies, steamed, stripped, alternated 7 dust, DE and Permethrin dust for the girls and alternated Permetherin 10, Permethrin SFR 38.8% for coop every Sunday for about 5 weeks. Today I saw nothing. Also, I built a much bigger coop and got 2 more Chickens. I had orpingtons, now I have Barred Rock and well!! LoL yes, I am addicted!