New Coop... Stopped Laying!

[memapete]

Help!

We got a new coop about one month ago. We have two buff orpingtons (both about 2 years old). One had no trouble adapting to the new coop. She figured out how to roost without a ramp (it's an a-frame and she just jumps up pretty easily) and she figured out how to hop up to the nesting box. The other couldn't figure out how to get up to roost or nesting box. She would lay on the bottom of the coop at night and laid her eggs on the floor of the coop... which made it very difficult to get to her eggs!

I called the company (small, american made) that built/shipped the coop and they were helpful and offered to send out a ramp (that is usually used for bantams) "just in case she never figures it out." That helped, but she decided to spend the night in the nesting box (easiest).

It's been about a week since she's been able to access the roost/nesting box and its been about that long since she's layed an egg. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON?! The only other clue is that one of the last eggs she laid I didn't get in time and it broke. Would that trigger her to stop laying?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[QueenMisha]

It's possible she's just stressed due to the new coop. Stress will resolve itself eventually.

She could also have an issue with her eggs. You mentioned that her last egg broke; she could have a calcium deficiency. Do you feed oyster shell? Technically, feeds should have the appropriate calcium content for the average laying hen, but some individual hens need more, in the form of oyster shell.

Has she been displaying any other strange behaviors? Anything that could indicate a health issue like egg binding? Has she been lethargic or walking funny in any way?

 

[memapete]

Thanks for your help!

She's been acting totally normal (in my opinion). The other was broody this past spring, and this is definitely very different. The scratch feed I'm giving them has calcium, I believe, but I'll check. I did NOT notice her other egg/shell seeming weak. Will a calcium deficiency cause hens to stop laying all together? Anything I can do to ease her stress? I was thinking it was probably just stress, but then it sorta seemed like it would have happened RIGHT away, as opposed to a couple weeks in to the change.

 

[QueenMisha]

What do you mean by scratch feed? Scratch (grains) alone cannot be fed as a complete ration, they don't have all the necessary nutrients. They're a treat only. Adult laying hens need a laying pellet or crumble, with 16% protein and 3-4% calcium.

 

[memapete]

Oops... Sorry (I'm a rookie, clearly). It's an appropriate feed. I was just writing what I remembered from the label. Here's what it actually is... well, this is what I bought just yesterday. I alternate in a higher protein feed (same brand). http://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=19671

 

[QueenMisha]

Oh, you meant the SCRATCH and Peck brand! That makes sense. They don't sell that in my area, but I've heard it's one of the absolute best quality feeds you can buy. Lucky you, I think it may be the only thing better than Bar Ale brand I use, and the only other type I might consider feeding to my birds. Lordy though... that's quite a price tag!

Obviously such a great feed will have the appropriate calcium content for the majority of birds. However, sometimes a bird just doesn't absorb like she should, and requires a supplement.

Personally, I recommend everybody supplements with oyster shell - even if you aren't seeing any odd eggs or odd laying behavior, but especially if you ARE. It's not expensive - 50 lb. bags will run you around $15-$20, and I go through one every 6 months or so (and my flock is over 100 birds large). It should be fed from a hanging 3 lb. feeder. You won't see the hens eating it, but if they need it, you'll notice it slowly disappear over time. It doesn't produce any ill effects, and can only improve your flock and your eggs, so why not?