Pullet hasn't laid for more than 2 months, can't figure it out?

Daloorashens

Songster
7 Years
Apr 26, 2012
2,196
33
168
Idaho
I have an OE pullet that started laying a cute little olive egg the first part of July and laid almost everyday for about 5 weeks. The last week that she laid the eggs got lighter until the last one was robin blue. Haven't seen an egg since (from her).
She doesn't act sick, eats well, isn't at the bottom of the pecking order, no mites that I can see, doesn't seem to be egg-bound and her comb is nice and red. I have other hens that are laying regularly, so I'm pretty sure there hasn't been a sickness or something going through the flock... She isn't even checking out the nest boxes anymore, would love to hear opinions about what might be going on with her?
 
I should probably give this a bump in the morning, since it's late on the east coast and many of you fellow-bycer's are over there=)
 
She's young, she was hatched early this year, so I wasn't expecting a molt??

Still looking for any other ideas...
 
My guess is that her genetic make up was probably not from the best layers. She may just be one to take breaks from laying.
 
Interesting thought,... I didn't realize they would take that long of a break.... I'm still really hoping she starts laying again before winter...
 
I'm betting shes moulting. If shes a slow moulter, she may be moulting for a long time and not start laying until its completed. I have one hen that hasnt laid in over a month and just now can tell shes moulting.
Also, are you feeding her a complete diet? Is she getting enough calcium? Or is she possibly hiding eggs somewhere? just some thoughts from personal experience.
 
She's on the same diet at the other birds that are laying, and there's not anywhere for her to hide them, I've wondered about that, too.... She was born this year, would she really molt already?
 
Here is a good article about moulting: http://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/chickens-moulting
Young pullets will have small moults a couple times during their growth period. Then usually they fully moult when 13-18 months old. Moulting can take 6 weeks or longer. Purebreeds tend to take longer with moulting then mixed breeds. If they look healthy I would just hold in there and maybe supplement with some Black Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) for extra protein. Hope that helps. Maybe someone else will chime in with some additional ideas
 
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