Scary poop, weight loss? and no eggs

[Cragg Klefor]

In the group shot- her comb and wattles are paler than the others. This could mean she is not fertile yet... the hope being she is a 'late bloomer'. It is possible.

An xray by your vet could tell you what's going on inside, but you are getting into money there. Some can do that, some can not. But I would just monitor her for now. Make sure they have oyster shell available to them so they can take what they need.

Did you manage to check her crop first thing before food or drink yet?
How about her poop - any further info on that?

 

[lazytrucker]

In the group shot- her comb and wattles are paler than the others. This could mean she is not fertile yet... the hope being she is a 'late bloomer'. It is possible.

An xray by your vet could tell you what's going on inside, but you are getting into money there. Some can do that, some can not. But I would just monitor her for now. Make sure they have oyster shell available to them so they can take what they need.

Did you manage to check her crop first thing before food or drink yet?
How about her poop - any further info on that?

Totally forgot to check her crop.. No other weird poops. I'm positive she's fertile. The rooster has got her and when I've gotten two brown eggs I'm pretty sure the other bird didn't lay two that day. I know it's possible but not likely. Was pretty busy today and didn't get to check the camera either... maybe tomorrow will be better. Thanks for checking back.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

9 month old hen that is not laying and had a weird poop. I think she has lost some weight as well.

It's probably been a few weeks that I've been thinking she might be underweight.

They've been eating nature wise laying mash with handfuls of scratch in the evening and occasional mealworms. They also free range.

I'm certain she laid a few eggs months ago but I'm thinking she hasn't since then.

4x8 coop at night with 8 guineas and the other 3 hens and a rooster.

So I weighed her and she weighs 8 lbs.

If she's not loosing weight and the poop was a one time deal then I have to look for other reason for her not laying eggs

I'm positive she's fertile. The rooster has got her

Can you feel her abdomen - what is that like? Compare her to the others - does she have quite a large fat pad or is she fuller than the others?
Some hens are big, it looks like she is a mixed breed (?) so 8 pounds may not be too heavy for her.
I did notice you mentioned that you gave your birds handfuls of scratch. Too much "extras" like scratch can dilute the nutritional content they get along with packing on the pounds. Pullets/hens that are too fat can develop reproductive problems, fatty liver disease and have more health problems. Since they free range all day, it would be a good idea to cut way back on the scratch and just offer the laying mash free choice.

A rooster will often mate a hen or pullet because he can, it does not mean the pullet/hen is fertile.

 

[lazytrucker]

Well... I don't get it. She is still the slow poke but she's been laying eggs for the last week. I guess she must be ok. So much for me being a worry wart.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

Well... I don't get it. She is still the slow poke but she's been laying eggs for the last week. I guess she must be ok. So much for me being a worry wart.

Great news!