One hen has stopped laying!

[squelchy69]

One of my hens has stopped laying. I've narrowed it down as I only have 3. I've seen 1 hen lay at the same time every day and we also get one distinctive egg a day so 1 is definately not laying. We got them just over a week ago and the very next day all laid. Same again the next day. Since then only the 2 have laid. This has been constant though. Nothing seems to have happened that might affect 1 hen and being totally new to all this, I am wondering if there is anything I may have done or can do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BeccaOH]

It is hard to say why one would stop laying for more than a couple days. There are many possibilities to consider.

1) How old are the hens? Is one old and getting burned out on laying?
2) Is one showing signs of illness?
3) Is one mottling?
4) Could there have been a change in weather that is making the hen change her pattern of laying?
5) Could she be egg bound?
6) Is one staying on the nest as a broody?
7) Are they getting enough protein in their feed?
8) Do they get sufficient sunlight during the day?

There are lots of reasons, and sometime it is just that hens have their own mind and will get back to laying as they feel like it.

Is is very rare to find a hen that will lay every day of the year. With just 3 hens, I'd be very happy to get 2 eggs every day.

Enjoy your chickens!

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change. When you brought the hens home they already had eggs moving along the "assembly line." The one hen feels stressed by the move and is taking a little time off. It's a common occurrence when moving chickens. The others may or may not shut down, but all will resume egg laying. It's nothing that you have done wrong.