My young chicks who were laying have stopped....

[Chickaroos]

My 18 week old chick who was laying a week ago has stopped. I have not found one egg in over a week... It has been really hot here, but could that have her stop laying for so long? During the evenings I let them free-range in our acre yard while my family is out in the pool...I have tried looking around the yard to see if she is laying in a hidden spot, but have had no luck.
These daily egg hunts are getting old ;p

 

[Happy Chooks]

Laying can be erratic at first, or she could be hiding them. Watch her if you see her sneaking off somewhere.

 

[Life is Good!]

If she's dehydrated, that will slow production as well. We're down by about 1/2 for eggs due to this crazy crazy heat spell....

 

[chickencoop789]

Chickens go through molts and during this time they wont lay eggs. Is she loosing some feathers? If she is then you wont have another egg for about a month.

 

[dainerra]

at 18 weeks she isn't even close to molting age. If she just started laying, it's not uncommon for them to be erratic in their laying. Add in the heat and it's not unusual for her to stop laying.

 

[Chickaroos]

Thanks everyone!
This morning my dog found a tiny egg around the area the chicks like to dust while
they are free ranging.
Thanks for all the ideas & comments

 

[dainerra]

When i have hens just starting to lay, I find it easier to keep them in the run. Until they've learned the ropes they tend to lay whereever -like potty training a toddler. If they get in the habit of laying outside the coop at a young age, it can be hard to break them of it.

 

[Chickaroos]

Ahh thanks for putting it into perspective like that!