How can I tell which hens are not laying?

[samsmama]

oops! I was thinking along the lines of a pelvic exam (I work in the healthcare field) when I read your original post So, I'm just using pressure to feel the width of the area right between the hen's legs? Is this right?

I wondered...that's why I wrote the 2nd post. I was afraid I made it sound like you were checking to see if she was dialated. LOL! Yes, you are using pressure to feel how far apart the pelvic/hip bones are and it's all done on the OUTSIDE of the chicken.

As far as how long it takes before they start laying again after a moult or being broody, I'm not sure. I'd say a month or so max??? Since you just got your chickens last year, they are young and should laying unless theya re broody or molting. I hope you find out what the problem is.

Tammy​

 

[opihiman911]

What about nailing a couple paint brushes above the nest box and put fresh bright yellow paint every couple hours. Every hen that goes into the nest box will brush against the paint and get a stripe. 20 eggs should have 20 hens with stripes on it. I did that with my girls. Every time I walked past the nest box I would lift the lid and if a girl was in there she got a splotch of yellow paint on her back. After 2 or 3 days of that I figured who was laying and who wasn't.
Good luck

Cory

 

[Beekissed]

I don't know if this would work for me....I have a couple of hens who get on the nests all the time but don't lay. One is a white Leghorn and I get all brown eggs! She is always on the nest!

 

[mdelhomme]

Can I jump in here? I was just checking the forum for answers, too. I have two easter eggers, a sex linked buff, and a barred rock. I'm getting about 3 eggs/day and they just started laying about 3 weeks ago. Here's my question: How can I tell who is laying and who isn't yet? I'm usually getting two different colored brown/tan eggs/day and one green. I suspect one of my EEs is slacking, but who? Everyone squats, and they all shout encouragement when someone's on a nest, or randomly, it's hard to tell sometimes. I have no idea what to look for on their butts, is that vent checking?
O please help a newbie.

thanks

Mindy

 

[Sylviaanne]

A hen in laying condition will have a very large and "puffy" cloaca. One that is not laying will have a much smaller, tighter one. If you examine each hen you can tell if they are laying or not.

Richard

Is this a way to tell before the pullet starts laying, that she might be ready?
Would the hens cloaca be smaller, tighter if they are going into molt? Or have not laid for several days? Thanks.