Laying or not

[carrolldk]

I have 8 chickens and typically get 5-7 eggs daily. I have never gotten 8. Is it possible that I have a hen that is not laying? And how would I know which one?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Depending on the breed they will lay more or less. Even a high production breed won’t lay every day. It also depends on their age—if they have just started laying or if they’re older they might not be as predictable. If you’re in the northern hemisphere and it’s still shorter daylight hours I’d say 5-7 eggs is pretty good. There is, however, a way to check their vent to see if they are laying but I don’t have experience with that so hopefully someone who knows more will chime in.

 

[carrolldk]

They are a year old. We live in South Central Texas so the days are warmer and getting longer. Thank you for your response.

 

[NatJ]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

This article may be helpful.

Basically, you look at the vent (does it look stretchy and large because an egg goes through it regularly, or puckered and dry and small?)
And you feel for the points of two bones (close together up under the vent, not a layer. A hen who is laying will have them farther apart and farther down, out of the way of an egg coming through.)

If you have a rooster, you can compare with him too. A rooster never lays eggs, and shows the same traits as a not-laying hen in this area.