New chicken still laying eggs......

[RobotChicken]

So about a week ago I picked up a chicken off of craigslist for free, she had been picked on pretty bad and had been recuperating for a month before trying to rejoin the flock. Well I guess she had been traumatized enough that she wanted nothing to do with them. So i picked her up and put her in isolation.

Well the second day I had her she laid an egg, ok I think, this one was in the chute, now she will probably stop for awhile.

3rd day, no egg, I'm not surprised, then on the 4th I get another, so I'm kinda surprised because I always heard they would stop laying, then again on the 5th day she lays another. Yesterday(day 6) no egg, I'm thinking, ok, maybe she is going to stop now. Then today I come down and theres another nice big white egg.

At this point is it fair to say that she is not going to stop laying? Or is there still likely to be a laying break from the move to a new location?

 

[gritsar]

I felt sorry for some friends that had lost their entire flock, so along with a rooster I gave them two of my hens that I wasn't attached to. We took them over to these people on Friday. They have gotten two eggs a day every day since we took them to their new home.
Chickens are individuals and some are easygoing enough that they aren't stressed by what would throw another hen off for weeks.

 

[dancingbear]

I've moved chickens several times, and it never made them quit laying. I wonder if sometimes hens quit when they've been moved because of a change in diet or something else, not really because of the move.

If you check the cages of hens at a poultry show, especially at a state fair or something where they're there for several days, you'll see eggs in a lot of the cages. If the stress of being stuck in a little wire cage, surrounded by other birds in little cages, with thousands of people walking by, looking at them, tapping the cages, etc., the bright lights and all the ungodly racket all around, doesn't make them quit, going to a nice new home shouldn't, either.

Sounds like your little hen was extremely stressed at her old home, so her new digs are like being at a day spa. I doubt she'll stop. Sounds like she's gonna be a happy chicken.

 

[RobotChicken]

Quote:
Ok good to hear.

And ya, she had been in a little cage on her own for awhile....her nails were HUGE! When I got her in isolation she promptly started scratching around and then just a few minutes later took a dustbath. She has made pretty good progress on wearing those nails down but I think I will need to trim them.

 

[mjdtexan]

Quote:
Congradulations on saving that chicken. I never knew that their nails could be an issue

Mike D

 

[jossanne]

When I had 5 hens at the fair, only 2 eggs were laid and one was soft-shelled. It must have been stressful for the poor girls.

I agree, it is probably an individual thing. I'm so glad your new girl is doing so well!

 

[dancingbear]

Breed may have a lot to do with it. Some breeds are just a lot calmer than others.

 

[RobotChicken]

Quote:
She does seem fairly tame to me, how to california white generally compare to other chickens in that regard?