One Hen just does not lay! Help?

[mrsfoxypants]

Hi guys!

I am pretty new here (to posting, not lurking, ha!), thanks in advance for the help!

So, in April I bought 8 chicks - 5 red star, 3 black star. They are all awesome and healthy, each one of them is laying an egg a day, every day (even with the decreasing light - I live in Montana) - EXCEPT ONE.

Her name is Blanche. She was always the runt. I think she may have laid once or twice when the rest of the hens started laying, though I might have just missed an egg from a day prior.

The point is, she doesn't lay. She's never in the laying box. I get 7 eggs a day, every day. Not one is from Blanche.

She sits alone by herself in a corner a lot, or she will peck around the coop a bit. She is healthy, I have worked on her crop, I've checked for any vent or stomach abnormalities, etc. She's not itchy or bothered. She is not broody. She is just fine. But, she just doesn't lay. This has been going on for a couple of months at least.

I will add, her sisters have beautiful red combs. Hers is kind of gray.

Any tips or advice? It is just so weird.

THANK YOU!

 

[azygous]

She sounds perfectly normal except for that very last bit of information about the comb being gray.

Your little hen likely has a problem in her reproductive system or other organs. If the comb is very washed out pink, it means she's not ovulating. If the color is more gray to purple, it means she's not getting proper oxygen to her tissues.

I hate to mention it, but she may have tumors, and that could mean there's may be an avian virus in your flock.

 

[lilmillefleur]

I'd like to see a picture of her to see if she has something going on.