Hens sitting in nest box for a couple of hours, but not laying

[Morrigan]

I have two hens, 2 and 3 years old who haven't laid an egg in several weeks. It took me a while to figure this out because each hen still goes into the next box, pretty much every day, and sits there for an hour or two. But they leave it empty when they go. They are not broody, as they leave the boxes after sitting there a while and roost at night. They are not molting, they look healthy, they are not eating their eggs, they just aren't laying.

Anyone know what's going on? Any hope that they might start laying again? I'm reaching a point where I need to decide whether to cull them, to make room for some new birds, but don't want to be premature about it.

Any insights would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[KennaFox]

Wish I could help, I've got two Rhode Barr hens around that age who are doing the same thing. They stopped laying as soon as 1 out of 9 teens (adults now) started laying. Any new layers maybe? Or did they just stop? I heard that once in awihle they'll stop laying for a few weeks out of the year or so

 

[nchls school]

I have two hens, 2 and 3 years old who haven't laid an egg in several weeks.  It took me a while to figure this out because each hen still goes into the next box, pretty much every day, and sits there for an hour or two.  But they leave it empty when they go.  They are not broody, as they leave the boxes after sitting there a while and roost at night.  They are not molting, they look healthy, they are not eating their eggs, they just aren't laying.

Anyone know what's going on?  Any hope that they might start laying again?  I'm reaching a point where I need to decide whether to cull them, to make room for some new birds, but don't want to be premature about it.  

Any insights would be welcome.  Thanks!

Depending on temperature, light, and diet, molting too, hens will take time off from laying eggs. More than likely they will start laying again. What breed are they? Some breeds lay better than others. At three years of age it would not be unusual for egg production to start to decline.

 

[Morrigan]

The 3 year old is a Buff Orpington and the 2 year old is a Buff Orp/Americauna cross. The cross hasn't laid an egg in probably 4 months -- peak summertime hours and no visible molting. I'm not sure when the BO last laid an egg -- it's been at least 3 or 4 weeks. Her feathers are absolutely beautiful, no sign of molting. I expect egg laying to taper off for the molt and declining hours, but stopping in the middle of summer is odd. As is the desire to continue sitting in the nest box for a couple of hours each day even when no eggs are being laid.

I feed a mix of flock raiser/sprouted grains/garden scraps with free choice oyster shells available. It's possible I guess that these particular hens just aren't eating enough calcium to generate eggs.

The cross laid an egg every day from 5 months until her first molt around 18 months. Since molting she laid an egg here and there for a couple of months and then just stopped. Maybe she is just out of eggs, sadly.

 

[nchls school]

I would worry about a health problem. Birds are very good at hiding illness. Check them over very carefully. While egg production does decline with age it does not just ...stop. My eight year old bantam mutt still lays eggs; your hens are not "...just out of eggs...". Something else is causing this situation.

 

[Morrigan]

I would worry about a health problem. Birds are very good at hiding illness. Check them over very carefully. While egg production does decline with age it does not just ...stop. My eight year old bantam mutt still lays eggs; your hens are not "...just out of eggs...". Something else is causing this situation.

I worry about that too. They are 2 of the best looking birds in my entire flock in terms of full, glossy feathers. The cross did have a couple of weird episodes where she was really droopy and I thought she was egg-bound. I soaked her in warm water and isolated her each time until she improved. I never saw an egg pass, but she did regain her energy and appetite. After the first episode, she started laying again. But, some to think of it, I don't think she has laid since the second episode. Appetite, energy, droppings all look normal, but there could be something internal going on. I'm worried maybe she had some type of reproductive infection or something that left her sterile.

The buff I have no idea what is up. She looks the very picture of health. Could she be "thinking" about going broody, but just can't fully commit to the box? I have noticed her sitting in the box in the afternoon for an hour or two as well as for an hour or two in the morning.

 

[nchls school]

I worry about that too.  They are 2 of the best looking birds in my entire flock in terms of full, glossy feathers.  The cross did have a couple of weird episodes where she was really droopy and I thought she was egg-bound.  I soaked her in warm water and isolated her each time until she improved.   I never saw an egg pass, but she did regain her energy and appetite.  After the first episode, she started laying again.  But, some to think of it, I don't think she has laid since the second episode.  Appetite, energy, droppings all look normal, but there could be something internal going on.  I'm worried maybe she had some type of reproductive infection or something that left her sterile.  

The buff I have no idea what is up.  She looks the very picture of health.   Could she be "thinking" about going broody, but just can't fully commit to the box?  I have noticed her sitting in the box in the afternoon for an hour or two as well as for an hour or two in the morning.  

Reproductive infection was my thought too. A disease that effects the reproductive tract. Try putting this into the advanced search box at the top of this page.

 

[Morrigan]

I'm keeping a close eye on both birds. They don't look like they are sick or suffering. I've decided I'm going to wait until Spring to get some replacement chickens, so these two have until then to start laying, or at least enjoy some retirement months.

I always knew the hens were going to be dual purpose birds, not pets, but it's still really hard to let go.

 

[nchls school]

I'm keeping a close eye on both birds.  They don't look like they are sick or suffering.   I've decided I'm going to wait until Spring to get some replacement chickens, so these two have until then to start laying, or at least enjoy some retirement months.  

I always knew the hens were going to be dual purpose birds, not pets, but it's still really hard to let go. 

Looks can be very deceiving when it comes to birds. I've been there; too many times I have had beautiful "healthy" birds not lay eggs, or worse, have chicks hatch only to die shortly after hatching. Each time there was a reason. Looking the picture of health does not mean there isn't a health problem. Research this. Many infections/diseases spread from one bird to the next.,,and quickly.

 

[Morrigan]

Looks can be very deceiving when it comes to birds. I've been there; too many times I have had beautiful "healthy" birds not lay eggs, or worse, have chicks hatch only to die shortly after hatching. Each time there was a reason. Looking the picture of health does not mean there isn't a health problem. Research this. Many infections/diseases spread from one bird to the next.,,and quickly.

Thanks. I really appreciate your advice. I've researched the issue and really can't find any definitive answers. There's been no lash eggs, no wheezing, etc. I guess I could kill and dissect (or pay a vet a small fortune), but I"m not quite there yet,