Laying/molting question

[LRavis]

I posted this a few weeks back and I’m still a little concerned about 3 of my hens, they still haven’t laid and it has been 6 weeks now...if it was stress shouldn’t they be good to go now? They’re becoming more friendly around me and I know they’re getting good nutrition. I’m thinking it’s definitely not mites because I checked a few weeks back and nothing, plus 1 of them is still laying so wouldn’t they all be infested and stopped producing? If it is molting I’m apprehensive to pick them up and handle them to check again because I heard it’s painful for them during this time. Thanks so much for any insight!!

Hi there! About three weeks ago I got 4 hens that are all around 14 months old (although I think the guy may have sold me a way older one because 1 of them has not yet layed). I figured because of the hour long drive and being in a new place they’d be too stressed to lay, well three of them layed the next day. And since that day we’ve only had one lay, I know it’s only one because it’s a green egg and I only have one Easter Egger. So then we moved them to a new coop and run, and a few days later there was a dog attack in the coop next to them (RIP my Tilly girl). There are a lot of feathers everywhere, and I know they start molting in the fall, but is this a rea molt since it’s only August? Or a stress molt and maybe that’s why they’re not laying? They’re all eating and drinking and acting just fine, but no eggs...Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[sourland]

The stress of the move coupled with the dog attack has caused them to take a normal break in their laying cycle. Once the molt is completed they will very likely start laying. If older than represented, they may go longer before restarting.