Laying question

[Spydrworks]

How many days without an egg should I wait before suspecting something might be wrong?

Thanks

 

[justusnak]

Well.....how old is your hen? Is she molting maybe!? Might not be anything wrong at all.

 

[Wes in Tx]

I have birds that haven't laid in 8 months and I am not worried in the least. They are 4 years or 5 years old and are nothing more than pets now.

 

[Spydrworks]

This is that wayward hen I posted about a week ago. Here is her lay schedule since I brought her in...

Found March 16, she laid her first egg on March 19, then on the following days one egg each day...

March 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and April 2.

March 31 is the day she started limping, which is getting better. She still eats and poops just fine, though she has been keeping off her feet a little more since a couple days after she hurt her leg.

There are no signs of cloaca irritation.

I was just wondering for future reference for the most part on how long to wait before suspecting a problem.

Just to note...some feathers have come out and molting is a thought, but isn't it a bit early for that?

 

[Rooster01]

However she hurt her leg could have stressed her. After something stressful happens to a chicken (Animal attack, Getting hurt) They will stop laying for awhile. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Wes in Tx]

Just looking at that lay schedule she may be just taking a break. Frankly I don't track when a bird lays or how long between eggs they go. Just have to many birds to worry about trival stuff like that and instead concentrate on keeping them health and looking for signs of illness and health problems. Like I said I have birds that haven't laid in 6-7 months. A bird is born with all the eggs they will lay in there life so the older they get the less they will lay.

 

[Spydrworks]

I've only got the one bird and I see an opportunity for me to study the chicken (being I've never kept a chicken before)...so keeping a lay schedule is without struggle and part of studying the chicken.

Besides, I've no idea where she wandered from and all I can assess from that is she is a very clean, friendly, healthy looking bird and she coos when I talk to her...lol. That's so cute. She's walking up to the back door now wondering where her treat cup of greens and bugs are at...lol...

Thanks.

 

[4H kids and mom]

I'd say she was obviously well cared for if she is so friendly and coos to you. Most likely the leg injury, coupled with her travels to get to you have worn her out a bit and shes taking a break. OR...she could be beginning her moult early, also possibly due to the stresses.

 

[bigzio]

I think the hen is perfectly normal. I would not expect my hens to lay every single day without skipping some days from laying.

When chickens go into their molt they also are rejuvenating their bodies by giving laying a rest.

Egg laying takes alot of energy for hens and proper feed is one of the most important things to consider.

bigzio

 

[Wes in Tx]

Spyd

Your doing a great job and you are correct that is a great way to learn about chickens.

If you can post a picture of her.