How long is too long to go without laying an egg?

[dukecitychick]

Our Blue Andalusian hen has not laid an egg for 4 days... she's usually quite regular and I don't want her to drop dead from impaction or something. How long till I should be worried? Are there other signs I should be looking for? I should mention I'm actually away from home for the week so it would be my boyfriend gloving up and I don't want to put my foot down if he doesn't have to....

thanks.

 

[vnploveschickens]

Is she moulting? What do you feed her and all your chickens? How's her poop? Anything you can tell us about her will help us to help you.

Thanks.

 

[dukecitychick]

Her feathers have been looking like crap lately and I've seen some blowing around the yard... but I've only had these chickens since the Spring so I don't know what a molt looks like. They're probably about the right age though- about 8 months old I think.

I have 3 other hens and they all get layer pellets with some ridiculously high protein percentage (22%??) because that's what the guy at the feed store sold my boyfriend. They get some scratch and BOSS for treats, as well as the odd vegetable or boiled-down chicken carcass to peck clean. (That's a whole 'nother post.)

They "free range" in our tiny yard when someone is around to protect the garden, and they mostly just go for grubs in the mulch around the trees and in the compost pile.

It has been really hot lately (100 today) and I would think that would slow 'em down, but the others haven't really. Plus she's a Spanish breed so she should be able to take the heat!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

It seems too early for molting. That's usually triggered by shorter days. But if her feathers look bad, then I guess it's possible.

The heat can also slow them down a bit. My girls have slowed down considerably with the triple digits.

 

[purpletree23]

Every hen and breed is different. It just might be the hot weather making her kinda miserable and not up to laying eggs. Keep an eye on her and the others in case more symptoms appear.

 

[konjo]

My hen has gone way too long also 13 days. She is a Shaver Red my white leghorn is doing fine. I'd like to see what they say..