Is it normal for a chicken to not lay any eggs while she's raising peeps

[Stinkerbella]

Is it normal for a chicken to not lay any eggs while she's raising peeps? Seems like a silly question got bantum hen and her 10 peeps - she hasn't laid any eggs for over a week - seems logical with her raising babies that she wouldn't lay but I didn't want to take any chances that something could be wrong and me being new just don't know

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Stinkerbella It's normal for a broody hen to stop laying eggs.
How long has she been broody? Did she hatch the eggs herself or did you supply her with chicks?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

My broody hens never lay eggs until they are VERY close to making their chicks fend for their own. Usually around 6-8 weeks.

MY broody's that were broke instead of raising chicks usually take 1-2 weeks to return to lay.

Great idea to ask questions if you aren't sure! Better safe than sorry.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, the hormones associated with broodiness (this includes rearing, not just hatching) impede production of eggs. Only when hormones return to production levels, at the end of the broody state of mind, does production resume

 

[lazy gardener]

What she said.

 

[Stinkerbella]

Hi @Stinkerbella It's normal for a broody hen to stop laying eggs.
How long has she been broody? Did she hatch the eggs herself or did you supply her with chicks?

I bought her about a week ago she hatched herself - she is normal in every way eating etc - just more I thought about it I figured I better make sure she's my first broody hen

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's probably been a lot longer than a week since she has laid.. If she hatched them to. That's usually about 21 days.

Moves can be hard on chickens. And broody's already aren't friendly and they *usually* teach their chicks to avoid you, although still teach them to come at treat time. Of course every hen will be different. But if she is still protecting the chicks that's great! Do you know how old they are?

So do you have other chickens? What are you feeding mama and babes? Do you know what breed she is? They start eating normal once they are teaching the chicks. When they are sitting on eggs they eat only once or twice a day usually. She won't poo in the nest still, but the chicks will.

Pics ALWAYS welcome!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I bought her about a week ago she hatched herself - she is normal in every way eating etc - just more I thought about it I figured I better make sure she's my first broody hen

So, in addition to being broody she has also had upheaval of being moved from her old home to new? Depending on your location, she may not lay again until next year due to shorter hours of daylight she will have when the hormonal shift would take place.