- Aug 4, 2015
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I know there are a lot of threads on molting - but I wanted to throw this out as it specifically addresses post-molt impact on egg laying.
I have an americanas (easter egger) that is from the spring of 2014 (1.5 yrs old). She had a very long molt, starting in August and looks to be wrapping up now (tail feathers are back) - so a 4 month molt. Additional info: I have a mixed flock of 9 birds (including a Roo) - and all the others are laying.
Issue: She hasn't laid a single egg in the last 2 months. She laid fairly well (4-5 eggs a week) for the first two months of her molt and then stopped around mid-October. I've read on other posts that EE's tend to be more flakey than other breeds and impacted quite a bit from the shorter days.
Question: Is there something seriously wrong with a chicken if it doesn't lay for 2 months? or - is that not unexpected from a flakey breed like an EE when you have molting combined with the shorter days of winter? I'm starting to wonder if she is just done - but for a 1.5 year old bird - that should not be the case.
I'd love any opinions from more experienced folks on this one.
Thanks.
I have an americanas (easter egger) that is from the spring of 2014 (1.5 yrs old). She had a very long molt, starting in August and looks to be wrapping up now (tail feathers are back) - so a 4 month molt. Additional info: I have a mixed flock of 9 birds (including a Roo) - and all the others are laying.
Issue: She hasn't laid a single egg in the last 2 months. She laid fairly well (4-5 eggs a week) for the first two months of her molt and then stopped around mid-October. I've read on other posts that EE's tend to be more flakey than other breeds and impacted quite a bit from the shorter days.
Question: Is there something seriously wrong with a chicken if it doesn't lay for 2 months? or - is that not unexpected from a flakey breed like an EE when you have molting combined with the shorter days of winter? I'm starting to wonder if she is just done - but for a 1.5 year old bird - that should not be the case.
I'd love any opinions from more experienced folks on this one.
Thanks.