No eggs from new layer in 3 weeks...

[Jennyhaschicks]

I am starting to think the worst. I have an EE who started laying a month ago or so. She has laid a total of 4 eggs all being a couple days apart. Now I have gotten nothing from her for about 3 weeks. I know sometimes they aren't very frequent when they are new layers but this isn't a normal thing is it? I am starting to worry about her. Is there anything I can do or check for?

 

[flakey chick]

I would say the vast majority of the time people post this question, they find a hidden nest. One time the poster found out that her husband was throwing the eggs away. He thought they couldn't be any good to eat since they didn't have a rooster. Another possibility is that you have a thief like a snake or a 2 legged thief.

First your mind jumped to the worst, but it probably isn't a medical issue. Feel her abdomen. She could be laying internally. Is her back side getting larger & swollen? Hot? She could be eggbound. Can you feel an egg? Does she walk like a penguin?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Flakey Chick makes sense. I hate to say it but egg eating is also a real possibility. I'll add a site that tells why chickens sometimes stop laying. It might give you a clue of what else to look for.

Virginia Tech – Stopped Laying
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1097/2902-1097.pdf

This site gives you what to look for if they are laying. Since she was laying a certain time ago, I'd pay attention to pigment color especially.

Pigment Color – Signs of Laying
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/culling.html#id

Good luck!