One mopey hen, winter blues?

[kcan2]

Hello all,
I became a new chicken owner this past fall and got my first egg on Dec. 19. We got eggs every other day or so until just after New Year's. However, my hen has not laid any new eggs since then, and I wondered if this is normal. She is the only small hen I could find for my rooster before the very cold weather started, therefore she is the only hen in the coop. (One rooster and one hen total). She doesnt seem "broody", but isn't as chatty and doesnt seem to be moving around the pen or hopping out to see me like she used to. She seems a little tired of my rooster's company. She is eating, drinking, pooping, and flying fine. Why no eggs in 3 weeks and counting?

 

[floppysquirrel04]

Egg production usually slows down a lot in the winter. I see you’re from Michigan, so she’s probably just being a little slow from the cold. As long as she’s eating, drinking and acting healthy, she’s all good .

 

[aart]

Hello all,
I became a new chicken owner this past fall and got my first egg on Dec. 19. We got eggs every other day or so until just after New Year's. However, my hen has not laid any new eggs since then, and I wondered if this is normal. She is the only small hen I could find for my rooster before the very cold weather started, therefore she is the only hen in the coop. (One rooster and one hen total). She doesnt seem "broody", but isn't as chatty and doesnt seem to be moving around the pen or hopping out to see me like she used to. She seems a little tired of my rooster's company. She is eating, drinking, pooping, and flying fine. Why no eggs in 3 weeks and counting?

Where in MI are you?
Been pretty warm down here.
How old is this bird?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[Mrs. K]

I am suspecting the daylight too, by the end of January, mid February, eggs should start coming. Is her comb pale colored? That is a sign they are taking a break due to the day length.

 

[----------]

maybe she needs another hen her age for company .the rooster might be overdoing it .she needs help maybe.

 

[kcan2]

Where in MI are you?
Been pretty warm down here.
How old is this bird?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?

I am in northern MI and it has been mercifully warm lately (warm being anything above 25)! She is about 6-7mo old. I have taken photos of the daily mixture I am feeding, they didnt seem to like the pellet crumbles as much so I usually give them more scratch than crumbles. Also, they have a seed cake with mealworms but havent been too interested in it.
She is just not perky and spends a lot of time standing by the mirror. :/

I am suspecting the daylight too, by the end of January, mid February, eggs should start coming. Is her comb pale colored? That is a sign they are taking a break due to the day length.

Photo of her is attached


Thanks for any and all help!

 

[aart]

I have taken photos of the daily mixture I am feeding, they didnt seem to like the pellet crumbles as much so I usually give them more scratch than crumbles.

Big mistake.
The scratch grains are low in nutrition...to be given once in while as a small treat.
If you read the fine print on the layer feed, it is supposed to be the sole ration.
They should have the layer available every hour they are awake,
they'll eat when they get hungry enough.
Oyster shell can be left out 24/7 in a separate feeder for them to use as they need.
The flock block is also fairly low in nutrition too, again, an occasional treat.

 

[kcan2]

Ok, I learned something new! I'm still trying to beat the chicken learning curve...I will make the adjustments to their rations and hopefully she will perk up!

 

[analyticalblonde]

Hi @kcan2

Just like was mentioned above, chickens are flock birds and do like company. Having just one hen with the rooster (as mentioned above) can be a little stressful for the girl.

Also, I started my girls on Dumor until I found out it is considered "seconds" from Purina and typically sold at Tractor Supply. Upon reading the ingredients, I wasn't impressed with the feed anymore and changed my girls over to Small Pet Select Garden Goodness Layer Feed with Botanicals (corn-free, soy-free, non-GMO). It's a little more expensive but the girls are much healthier. I always have free-choice grit and oyster shell available for them.

Also, treats! Scratch is not very nutritious at all! The same goes with cracked corn. A really good "treat" are Grubblies...

I put the Grubblies into Chicken Toy balls and they go bizerk!

I have ten girls, 10 months old, and put out 2 balls. Just about every girl stopped laying in December (only one is laying about one egg a day). Six of my girls are now in some phase of molt so the protein in the Grubblies is helping.

I also use the same suet cage you have to put greens inside such as collards, kale, spinach, etc. once a day so they have something green to eat...since it's winter here, the ground is covered in snow and the greens help with their needs.

Always have fresh food and water available; maybe get her some female companybut be sure to read up on how to introduce a new girl into the flock!; cut way back on the scratch; try another feed that is a bit more nutricious; give her a toy (I have a mirror inside my run as well - my girls are pretty vain!); don't worry if she has stopped for now - girls usually slow down/stop because they don't get the needed 14 hr/day during the winter time and she's pretty young;

her little engine is just starting and will kick back into gear come Spring; as long as she is eating well and drinking well it may be just the winter humdrums but keep an eye to make sure she doesn't take a turn.

 

[kcan2]

Hi @kcan2

Just like was mentioned above, chickens are flock birds and do like company. Having just one hen with the rooster (as mentioned above) can be a little stressful for the girl.

Also, I started my girls on Dumor until I found out it is considered "seconds" from Purina and typically sold at Tractor Supply. Upon reading the ingredients, I wasn't impressed with the feed anymore and changed my girls over to Small Pet Select Garden Goodness Layer Feed with Botanicals (corn-free, soy-free, non-GMO). It's a little more expensive but the girls are much healthier. I always have free-choice grit and oyster shell available for them.

Also, treats! Scratch is not very nutritious at all! The same goes with cracked corn. A really good "treat" are Grubblies...View attachment 2010894
View attachment 2010895

I put the Grubblies into Chicken Toy balls and they go bizerk!

I have ten girls, 10 months old, and put out 2 balls. Just about every girl stopped laying in December (only one is laying about one egg a day). Six of my girls are now in some phase of molt so the protein in the Grubblies is helping.

I also use the same suet cage you have to put greens inside such as collards, kale, spinach, etc. once a day so they have something green to eat...since it's winter here, the ground is covered in snow and the greens help with their needs.

Always have fresh food and water available; maybe get her some female companybut be sure to read up on how to introduce a new girl into the flock!; cut way back on the scratch; try another feed that is a bit more nutricious; give her a toy (I have a mirror inside my run as well - my girls are pretty vain!); don't worry if she has stopped for now - girls usually slow down/stop because they don't get the needed 14 hr/day during the winter time and she's pretty young;View attachment 2010894View attachment 2010895 her little engine is just starting and will kick back into gear come Spring; as long as she is eating well and drinking well it may be just the winter humdrums but keep an eye to make sure she doesn't take a turn.

I am at the store now and will definitely get some upgraded pellets/snacks based on the helpful info you provided! Thank you!