Laying after injury?

[kegbergman]

Hi, I'm new to the list. I tried reading old posts to see if the subject had been covered. I couldn't find it, but then, I'm not sure if the question would be in this topic. Anyway... About 3 weeks ago, my Buff was injured by some type of preditor (another was taken). Although I thought she was badly injured with bite marks on her back - under her wings- and loss of feathers, I was able to nurse her back to health. For the past 7-10 days she has been eating and drinking well; poop seems normal and she is again roosting at night (rather than laying on the ground and sleeping). She is healing nicely, but has yet to start laying again. She had been laying 5 days a week. She is less than 1 year old. My question is, when, if ever, can I expect her to start laying again?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Karen

 

[Mahonri]

First off, Welcome to BYC!

You never know after an injury. She could start laying again tomorrow OR she may never lay again. I'd say if she's eating, drinking and pooping and she hasn't started laying again within a months time, she probably won't lay again. If she had internal injuries, it may have ruined her ovaries.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

well laying cycles are from 20 to 25 days of length
so that may be how long it takes her body to start making eggs again

she is really just healing and can't make eggs and heal sores at the same time

I would do this for her immediately to help her body to heal and prepare to lay eggs

I don't know how many hens that you have so will make the recipe for individual hen
then multi[ply the amt for one hen times the amt of hens feeding the wet nash probiotic with vit E and Vit B complex

then the most important part will be the feeding of wet mash probiotic's with vit's

for one hen
3 tbsp of crumble feed
4 tbsp of milk any kind
2 tbsp of yoguart


Now the important part
1-100 mg of Vit E clip the tip of the capsule and squeeze it in the wet mash
1-Vit B complex tablet crushed and put in the wet mash

this will help their gut flora and nervous systems

do this twice a week till she seem very happy

I would do this for a week or so then go to once a week for life
this should help the situation immensly

please email me so I can help you with any questions

 

[kegbergman]

Thank you Glenda for the recipe. I will prepare it. However, she does seem happy. As I said, she is eating well, scratching and wandering all about. I do give yogurt a couple times a week now as they do love it. I also have been giving meal worms and sunflower kernels as treats. They are allowed to go outside when I can watch them - don't want a repeat of the last incedent. I have 2 chickens - both Buff Orpingtons.

 

[kegbergman]

I just wanted to share that my injured hen laid her first egg after her terrible injury last month. It was a little smaller than before her injury (medium insead of X-Large) and the shell color was a little lighter tht before. I'm guessing that both will return to normal in time. Thanks for the help and encouragement.