Molting This Time of Year?

[JeffOeuf]

I have some unexplained behavior in two of my four hens. The two younger ones, born around this time last year, as best I can figure, have stopped laying. At first, I thought they were laying somewhere other than the nest boxes, but I locked one of them up all day yesterday, and no egg. The other one is so wild, I don't even know where she's roosting these days. But, no matter how wild she was, she always laid in the nest box, until recently.

The one that I locked up has been a solid producer since early Autumn last year. She laid almost every day through a pretty nasty cold winter. Now in the long days, when things should be perfect, she's not laying.

There's no apparent feather loss, but I wondered to myself last night if one or both of them might be molting, since they're right at a year old.

Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[sumi]

They could be stressed, laying their eggs elsewhere, losing their eggs to a predator, have a parasite infestation... Have a look here, maybe it will help you figure it out:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-behaviours-and-egg-laying-why-are-my-hens-not-laying

 

[centrarchid]

The component of molt that arrests laying is a seasonal event that occurs during fall months. Either birds somehow stressed or new nest site has been adopted. Make certain if you are using feed that it is good. Also consider possibility someone is harvesting eggs before you are.

 

[JeffOeuf]

They're not being stolen, of that I am reasonably sure. I can't imagine stress. They seem about as stress free as an animal could be. They have about the same stress level as our lazy cats.

We did lose a flock-mate to a predator recently, so the pecking order has been disrupted, but that seems like an unlikely cause to nearly 2 weeks of no eggs.

I'm leaning toward the "unwanted nest site" theory, but I've searched high and low for it. It must be deeeeeepppp in the woods.

I'm not inclined toward the parasite theory, either. These chickens look the picture of health.

 

[sumi]

The predator attack and the resulting reshuffle of their pecking order may be to blame here, especially if they witnessed the attack. Regarding the parasites: sometimes chickens could host a parasite infestation without any obvious signs. I got caught out by a worm and lice combo in my flock once. No sign of anything being amiss until I lost a hen. I went and examined my hens and their droppings after I got the necropsy results, but I couldn't see a thing. The bugs were teeny tiny and I didn't know where and how to find them. There was no sign of worms in their droppings either. So even if your hens look healthy, they may not be... Don't make the same mistake I did.

 

[centrarchid]

Thief could be bird like crow, dog or even another chicken.

If alternative nest site, then waste a weekend out side and determine direction hen seems to disappear to for about an hour. Usually hen makes a ruckus when coming of nest as well.