laying break - what to expect?

[cityeggs]

Poking around, it does look like hens sometimes just take a break in laying, and I'm guessing that's whats going on, but I'm just covering my bases to make sure she's ok. I wasn't sure whether to post here or in injuries, but since the main symptom so far is just lack of laying, I chose here.

I have a 1.5yo Australorp who hasn't laid in a week now (usually lays 3-4 eggs/wk). I checked her crop this morning and it was empty and normal, no obvious injuries (on quick inspection prior to caffeine), they're in an enclosed run with very few places to hide eggs. I'm also pretty sure that she's not laying at all bc when I brought out the accumulated egg shells last weekend, she had absolutely no interest, whereas she usually is right in the scrum getting her fill.

If it is due to stress, typically how long does it take to recover? We have a bucket waterer, and while I do check it regularly, they went at least most of a day (and possibly longer

) without water last week because the top re-sealed enough not to let the water to come out (I've now fixed it so that can't happen again), and that seemed to coincide with her not laying the next day. And I have been changing things up in the coop over the last week to prep for chick integration - I added another roosting bar, dropped their dropping board etc., and while they seem to like the new roost, I know they generally get up in arms when I move the furniture on them.

Would she stop laying prior to molting, or do they typically start to molt and then stop laying, or does it depend on the bird?

She has been acting a little quieter and more subdued than usual, though not exactly sick. She's usually pretty chatty and friendly, and has been quieter and kept to herself a little bit more. When I closed them up the other evening, her crop was relatively empty, which is unusual for her, though it wasn't exactly dark yet, so she may haven't done her "top-off" yet. She's not broody - not on the nest at all, and not clucking and puffing like the last time she started to go broody.

At what point do I worry? I will check her for mites etc. and more closely for injuries later today. Her comb is red and healthy-looking, days are getting longer, so I wouldn't expect her to have stopped because of daylight. She did lay through the winter this winter, but it's also her first winter as a layer (there's a streetlamp outside the coop too, and days don't get super short here anyway).

I only have 3 hens, she's getting to the food just fine. I haven't changed feed on them - they're on 20% protein Modesto Milling chick crumbles. I have another hen same age who hasn't laid since Nov; prior to that I had started mixing crumbles and layer feed to up protein and prevent egg issues one hen had. They have occasional vegetable scraps and mash from the crumble dust a few times a week. It's possible that the food doesn't have the highest nutrient content possible bc I have a hard time getting bags with a recent mill date (this one is from the fall - I'd have to look up the date), but there's nothing wrong with it otherwise. She always has access to grit and OS, and egg shells when I have enough to give them.

 

[Sally PB]

Would she stop laying prior to molting, or do they typically start to molt and then stop laying, or does it depend on the bird?

Yes, yes, and very much yes. It really does depend on the individual more than any typical "rule." Eggs and feathers are both made of a lot of protein, so it makes sense that they don't grow both at the same time. But whether they start molting or stop laying first, depends on the bird.

My 3 March hatched Black Australorps laid through November their first year. They had a partial molt -- it looked like their heads had shrunk -- and stopped laying. They started back up in mid-January.

She did lay through the winter this winter, but it's also her first winter as a layer

She may be taking a break. If she seems healthy overall, she is probably fine.

 

[cityeggs]

It looks like it's just molting - a few days later, there was an eruption of black feathers everywhere and she's lost much of her tail and petticoats - she doesn't look scraggly yet, but she's certainly smaller and less fluffy than she was last week!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

My gals has definite personality changes right before molting. Aloof, standoffish, lazy looking, scratches with the others but seems to not really be into it, to name a few characteristics I noticed. I thought mine were dying or sick, but i have learned one thing, if you have a favorite treat to offer, like a little scrambled egg or something and said hen doesnt want it......we have an issue. Fortunately, no matter how alood, standoffish or lazy; she'll always eat the special treat. Usually I will give it to said hen when noone is looking. The extra protein is nice for molts, and, she wasnt in the mood to 'go crazy' for treats. She also is my hen that starting sleeping in the nesting box during this time. You should see how big and beautiful she became after all that molt drama. That pic is biggie from today! Good luck!