Hormonal Shifts and Sporadic Laying

[BonnieBlue]

Peony, the hen I thought was egg bound a few weeks ago, was sporadic after that, laying once every 4 days. She finally snapped out of it and laid 4 days in a row. Until early this week, when she laid once after a day off, and now is on her 4th day again without laying. She goes into the nest almost every morning and sits for an hour or two, then gives up.

I feel sure this time not egg bound. She is pooping normally, she is eating and drinking normally, not lethargic, no waddling, nothing that would indicate a bound egg.

Here's why I now think possibly a hormonal shift. She has crowed sporadically. Not a full throated crow, more like a rooster that needs to gargle and is being half-hearted about it. But definitely a crow. She's done this 4, maybe 5, times over the past few weeks.

So is this something that I need to just accept, and realize she is going to be sporadic in laying, and hope she doesn't go so hormonal with testerone she quits laying? She is the top hen and always has been, tho only two of them now. Once I get more chicks after my move, and get more layers in the pipeline, it won't be a big deal, as long as she runs a tight ship as the protector. I just want to make sure I am not missing anything I can do for her. I want to keep her healthy and happy. For reference, she will be two on June 28th. Has always been healthy, except for a handful of hiccups in laying. No signs of mites or intestional parasites, and her sister is laying normally.

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

She may have a reproductive issue that's wreaking havoc with her hormones.

 

[BonnieBlue]

She may have a reproductive issue that's wreaking havoc with her hormones.

How would I go about determining that?

 

[nuthatched]

How would I go about determining that?

There's really no way unless you see lash material or symptoms of it. Sorry. The no eggs and crowing can be a symptom.

 

[BonnieBlue]

There's really no way unless you see lash material or symptoms of it. Sorry. The no eggs and crowing can be a symptom.

I have not seen that in her. Her few hiccups, one last year, and two this year, were eggs that had a paper thin shell and found under the roost. It appears they came out approx 6-8 hours before her normal laying schedule. But they were definitely eggs with not developed shell, not lash. I just figured it was because the days were getting longer and her body was really picking up in laying and not quite regulated.