Not laying eggs months after broody...

[mrjoemomma]

One of my hens went broody at the beginning of the summer and stopped laying. The broody behavior has long since past and she is still not laying. We have no Roster, so she is not "raising" chicks. What's going on?

She is not molting.

Thanks, Joe

 

[Happy Chooks]

Do her "chicks" still huddle under her at night, or have they been completely weaned?

 

[mrjoemomma]

She doesnt have any chicks. Never did, that is the puzzling part.

 

[Happy Chooks]

How old is the hen?
Was she laying regularly before going broody?
Any strange eggs laid?
Is it possible she is going through a very slow molt and you just aren't seeing the massive feather loss?
How is her body weight? Is she unusually thin?
How is her comb color? Bright and red, or pale and shriveled?
Have you checked her for lice/mites?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

She doesnt have any chicks. Never did, that is the puzzling part.

Did you break her from sitting or did you just let her starve herself to the point that she has now ruined her health?

 

[mrjoemomma]

I broke her. Her behavior, weight, etc is all very normal, just no eggs. She is under a year old.

 

[aart]

She's ticked off at you!! No, just kidding.

Do you have other chickens the same age that are laying?
Do you free range?
Are her comb and wattles plump and bright red?
Have you checked her over carefully for parasites, parting the feather to check the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings?

 

[mrjoemomma]

So probably is ticked at me

All other chickens are the same age from the same brood and free range. It is a puzzle.

 

[aart]

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.