RIR Not Laying

[c1casino]

We have noticed that one our hens is not laying and just stands in the corner cubicle of the pen. Thinking it might be egg bound, I put her in warm water for 30 minutes, and took her back to the pen. As soon as I put her down, Sonny, our RIR rooster, took after her & she ran back to the cubicle. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if she's afraid of him. Do you think I should separate Sonny from the two RIR's? And could she be stressed & not laying? The other hen is fine and lays an egg a day.

 

[Bullitt]

We have noticed that one our hens is not laying and just stands in the corner cubicle of the pen. Thinking it might be egg bound, I put her in warm water for 30 minutes, and took her back to the pen. As soon as I put her down, Sonny, our RIR rooster, took after her & she ran back to the cubicle. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if she's afraid of him. Do you think I should separate Sonny from the two RIR's? And could she be stressed & not laying? The other hen is fine and lays an egg a day.

How many hens do you have, and how many roosters do you have?

From what you have said so far, the hen in question is stressed out, and that is probably why she isn't laying eggs.

 

[c1casino]

We have two RIR hens and 1 RIR rooster. He doesn't bother the other hen.

 

[Bullitt]

We have two RIR hens and 1 RIR rooster. He doesn't bother the other hen.

I see. Two is usually not enough hens for a rooster.

It sounds like the stressed-out hen is the rooster's favorite, and he might be overbreeding her.

Can you get more hens?

 

[c1casino]

We probably can. How many? We had four chicks & the rooster initially, but lost two over time. Thx for your suggestions.

 

[Bullitt]

We probably can. How many? We had four chicks & the rooster initially, but lost two over time. Thx for your suggestions.

There is no hard and fast rule on the number of hens to a rooster. The number I usually see is at least 7 hens per rooster.

But I can't guarantee this will fix the problem. It is just what seems like is going on.

Does the stressed-out hen have a bare area on her back?

Another option is to get rid of the rooster that is stressing out your hen.