No more eggs after predator run it

[angelika]

My 1.5 year old Australorp had a run in with a predator 10 days ago. I actually don't know what got her. Might have been a hawk, might have been my golden retriever. Hubby and I disagree on who it was. Nevertheless, we now have a very large secure run with the coop in the middle of it. Super safe, covered on all sides. But poor Stella has not laid an egg since it happened. Well, we got one mini egg about a week later, and then nothing. Before the attack she was pretty regular. If not every day, at least every other. She is not injured, just missing some back feathers. Is there anything I can do to make her feel more secure? Are her laying days over? We are only about 6 weeks in to having chickens, so I am not sure what to do.

 

[angelika]

anyone?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

One of my chickens got attacked by a hawk once and didn't return to laying for about a week. (Luckily, she only lost some feathers and wasn't injured. Thank God that my buff orpinton, Gracie was there as she fought off the hawk!) Anyway, is your hen acting scared or sick in any way? If, possible, I would try using some fresh lavender with her as this has been proven to calm and soothe hens. Make sure she has plenty of food and clean water. Also, is she being bullied by another chicken? She may be associating this with the attack and may be very scared and stressed out.

 

[ChickCrazed]

Stress can majorly mess with their cycle. When we moved ours between coops they stopped laying for 6 weeks. Not all birds are quite THAT sensitive but it happens. Also, have you picked her up and done a very thorough inspection? It is possible she has more wounds hiding in her feathers. That often happens, chickens try to hide their injuries and she might be more hurt than you think.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Stress can majorly mess with their cycle. When we moved ours between coops they stopped laying for 6 weeks. Not all birds are quite THAT sensitive but it happens. Also, have you picked her up and done a very thorough inspection? It is possible she has more wounds hiding in her feathers. That often happens, chickens try to hide their injuries and she might be more hurt than you think.

X2! Yes, chickens are experts at hiding injuries and sickness due to the pecking order. So, I would, like ChickCrazed said, give her a thorough examination.

 

[angelika]

Thank you! I have examined her well. She is doing great in every other way. The feathers are even starting to grow back. She seems happy in every other way. She comes running when I have treats, loves to free range and dust bathe when I get home from work and let them out. She and and one other hen she grew up with are alone in the huge run. We have the new pullets in their own coop/run for the 30 day quarantine right now. I guess I will just give her more time. And put some lavender in the coop- we have tons of it!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Thank you! I have examined her well. She is doing great in every other way. The feathers are even starting to grow back. She seems happy in every other way. She comes running when I have treats, loves to free range and dust bathe when I get home from work and let them out. She and and one other hen she grew up with are alone in the huge run. We have the new pullets in their own coop/run for the 30 day quarantine right now. I guess I will just give her more time. And put some lavender in the coop- we have tons of it! 

Glad she is doing well!! Also, glad you gave her some lavender!