One chicken has died unexpectedly, and the others (3) will not lay eggs

[kcvalentine]

Went out one morning to service my coop and found one our Rhode Island Reds dead with no trauma, and there was no sign of previous disease. It was totally unexpected. Now the other 3 Chickens have stopped laying, as if they are depressed. not sure what is going on, other than one has just finished molting and the weather is starting to cool.

But it has been over a week, and no egg production. A COMPLETE HALT.

Any suggestions???????

 

[earlybird10842]

Hi, and welcome to BYC. I'm just bumping this post back up to the top of the forum so you can get the help you need. Also, are the 3 others looking the least bit sick? Did anything stressful happen before the one died?

 

[kcvalentine]

nothing stressful happened before her death, and there was no trauma. The 3 other birds have started or finishing their molting with the new weather starting. I live in California and it is changing from lows in the 70's to now the upper 40's and low 50's. They have not laid any eggs since the ones passing. I find it strange. They are acting fine, eating and drinking well.

 

[dawg53]

I dont know about your RIR. Change in temps affects egg laying, lessening of daylight hours as well.

 

[earlybird10842]

Wish I could help. Any updates?

 

[Country4ever]

Are they in a safe run or free range? They could have gotten really frightened by a predator. Sometimes that can kill them. I had a coon attack in my run once and it killed 2 of the hens.......but the others didn't lay the rest of the summer...and the attack happened in June. Being really frightened can really shut down their egg laying for quite awhile.

 

[Chicks on DL]

Mine stopped laying after a predator attack too. I gave them lots of treats and extra protein, it took a few weeks, but things eventually went back to normal.

 

[earlybird10842]

Are they in a safe run or free range? They could have gotten really frightened by a predator. Sometimes that can kill them. I had a coon attack in my run once and it killed 2 of the hens.......but the others didn't lay the rest of the summer...and the attack happened in June. Being really frightened can really shut down their egg laying for quite awhile.

Oh, good point! any updates?