Laid an egg when I brought her home and then no more for 4 weeks

[Shena]

We got 8 hens, and one of them (an Easter Egger) laid a blue egg on the way home. The man we got them from said that most of them would probably start laying in about 2 to 3 weeks, but some of them were already laying. We haven't seen an egg since, and it has been 4 weeks. The one that laid an egg will be sitting on the ground frequently as if she is sitting on an egg, but there are never any eggs. We thought maybe something was eating them but someone told me we would see a mess, and there has never been a mess. Maybe one of the other hens is eating the eggs and leaves no mess? We thought at first they just had to adjust to the new environment, but it's been 4 weeks! I don't think we've changed their diet much, but they've just been eating crumble and food scraps and bugs and vegetation. Any idea why they are not laying? Is this normal to lay and then not again for 4 weeks???
What can I do?

Thanks!
Shena

 

[Msbear]

Let her settle in.. They'll come. A move can stop egg laying for a month or more

Maybe get a store bought egg and place it in the nest. Seems like when one hen starts up, they all do. ...so maybe a little trickery is in order. This has worked for me.

 

[granmahen]

Four weeks is a long time. We just moved and ours took two weeks to start laying again. Is the nest you have for them very private? I know ours like their privacy. Also, do you let them out to free range? Maybe they are laying then, rather than in the coop. Do they have enough water? Ours go on strike if there isn't enough water for their liking. Hang in there...they've got to start laying sooner or later.

 

[unionwirewoman]

I've had my hens stop laying for as long as 3 months at a time . I wouldn't worry about it too much . They are animals......they'll lay when they're good and ready ! No amount of cussing , threatening or worrying will change it....Believe me , I've tried !!! Just have fun with your new additions and let nature take it's course !