Pullet has stopped laying!

[song of joy]

If pullets hatch out early in the season (Feb/March), they will usually start laying in late summer. Some may continue to lay right through until next fall, but some will slow down or stop laying in the fall (after only laying a month or two) in response to decreasing light levels. If they do this, they generally start laying again in January as day length increases.

When pullets hatch out later in the season (May/June), I've noticed that they will start laying in November/December and usually continue right through until fall without stopping.

Much depends on the individual and the breed also.

 

[Jonessa]

Hmm, well maybe that's the explanation then! Not much I can do about it, but I'm glad it's nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for the help!

 

[Jonessa]

If pullets hatch out early in the season (Feb/March), they will usually start laying in late summer. Some may continue to lay right through until next fall, but some will slow down or stop laying in the fall (after only laying a month or two) in response to decreasing light levels. If they do this, they generally start laying again in January as day length increases.

When pullets hatch out later in the season (May/June), I've noticed that they will start laying in November/December and usually continue right through until fall without stopping.

Much depends on the individual and the breed also.

Very interesting! She hatched at the the beginning of April, and started laying mid-August. The other two that are laying were part of the same hatch, but did't start laying till mid-September (they are still laying almost daily). I have two more that are about 6 weeks younger, so hopefully they'll start laying soon and pick up the slack!

 

[song of joy]

Sounds like you'll have plenty of eggs once the other two start laying as well. I really enjoyed having an olive egger. She laid pretty eggs and was a good mom.

 

[Jonessa]

Sounds like you'll have plenty of eggs once the other two start laying as well. I really enjoyed having an olive egger. She laid pretty eggs and was a good mom.

She's definitely my fave! She's super friendly - if squat down near her, she'll jump on on my shoulder and have a snuggle. And her eggs are just so pretty, so many different shades of green!

 

[aart]

If you think she may be molting, look for pin feathers to confirm.
Do you free range?
You could always check her vent and pelvic points to determine if she is still laying or not.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

 

[Jonessa]

If you think she may be molting, look for pin feathers to confirm.
Do you free range?
You could always check her vent and pelvic points to determine if she is still laying or not.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

They do free range, but I haven't been able to find any eggs. I did find, today, a couple of big tail feathers that had come out and were just stuck in the fluff of the rest of her tail feathers! I will check her vent and pelvis tomorrow using the helpful info you provided, just to be sure. Thanks!!

 

[aart]

If you find them to of 'laying' status after the exam,
best to 'lock 'em up' to re-habituate them to laying in the coop nests.

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 a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.