Is this normal?

[thenovicehen]

My ameraucana molted at 9 months old in mid September, finished by mid November. We’re in Austin, TX for geographical reference. She STILL has not laid an egg. Is this normal? I feel like it’s not. Is there anything I can do to help her get her egg cycle going again? I’m more concerned for her health than eating her beautiful blue eggs. I’ve checked everywhere in case she’s hiding eggs somewhere, maybe she forgot where they go, but haven’t found any.

 

[MysteryChicken]

My ameraucana molted at 9 months old in mid September, finished by mid November. We’re in Austin, TX for geographical reference. She STILL has not laid an egg. Is this normal? I feel like it’s not. Is there anything I can do to help her get her egg cycle going again? I’m more concerned for her health than eating her beautiful blue eggs. I’ve checked everywhere in case she’s hiding eggs somewhere, maybe she forgot where they go, but haven’t found any.

If the days are short, she may just start up again anytime, or wait till the spring.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

It's likely normal, most hens take a break for the winter, and so it was probably just that since she molted and went right into winter, that she probably won't lay until spring.

 

[ChickenLeg]

Yes I live in Tennessee all mt chickens started moltomg around the same time as yours and I get only 3-4 egga on good days out of around 45 hens. They'll lay very well come spring time!

 

[ChickenLeg]

Also she is very beautiful

 

[thenovicehen]

If the days are short, she may just start up again anytime, or wait till the spring.

Right on. Thank you for responding! Days here are 7:30am-5:45pm. I offer both game bird feed crumble (for my rooster and silkies), as well as layer pellets. She prefers the crumble, but I don’t want to waste this big bag. Is there an easy way to make the pellets into crumbles? Maybe she’s not eating enough of the layer feed.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Right on. Thank you for responding! Days here are 7:30am-5:45pm. I offer both game bird feed crumble (for my rooster and silkies), as well as layer pellets. She prefers the crumble, but I don’t want to waste this big bag. Is there an easy way to make the pellets into crumbles? Maybe she’s not eating enough of the layer feed.

A blender, or food processor.

Yep, shorter days.

I don't feed layer feed, I used too though. It just got expensive. Plus I have roosters.

 

[thenovicehen]

Also she is very beautiful

Thank you! I can’t figure out what color she is.

 

[NatJ]

Is there an easy way to make the pellets into crumbles?

This isn't quite what you asked, but you can add water to pellets, so they swell into a wet mush. Most chickens really like it that way.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Great advice on blender or processor.
I got processor from thrift store for chix feed. But soaking into wet mash works great too. I also add small amounts of floating fish food to up their protein when laying and molting . It's 13.99 for 59# and protein is 38% My Yorkie loves it has a lot of fish meal in it.