My 2 yr old Ameraucana Stopped Laying

[ljwljm]

My Ameraucana has only laid 3 eggs in the last 3 months. I have 4 other chickens (different breeds) that are the same age and they are all laying 3-6 eggs/week. She squats when I reach to touch her and her comb is red. I see her occasionally go into the nesting box, but she hasn't laid any eggs. Other than that she seems perfectly healthy and is eating, drinking and active.

I did integrate 7 other pullets over 2 months ago and they all get along fine.

Is this normal for her to stop laying at 2 years old?

 

[sourland]

If she was a feed store purchase, she is most likely an Easter Egger, and they can be all over the place as far as productivity.

 

[ljwljm]

Yes, I did get her from a feed store. Is it better to get chicks directly from the hatcheries? All 16 of my chickens are from feed stores, so I hope I'm not going to have the same problem with my 2 Ameraucana chicks as well.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

What color eggs is she laying when she does lay? Do they free range?

 

[ljwljm]

She lays a light blue green color. They are in a large barn with access to outside areas that are predator proof. I do also let them out to free range a couple times a week to eat grass, etc. We have a lot of hawks and coyotes, so I only let them out on the lawn/tree areas when I'm out with them.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Well if she's laying a blue green color she's probably Easter Egger. I've heard from a few people that when it's hot they sometimes just quit laying. Is there any chance she's just not using the nesting boxes when she lays? Maybe hiding them somewhere?

 

[ljwljm]

I've checked everywhere daily to see if she has been hiding them, but nothing. She stopped laying before the weather got hot, so I don't think its that either. It just seems like she is so young to stop laying. She seems happy and healthy though, so thats good!

 

[aart]

EE's can be sporadic layers.

Do you free range?
Do a butt check to assess pelvic points, then if she appears to be laying lock her up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[ljwljm]

Thanks, I hadn't heard of that before, so I'll give that a try.