Starting to get a little concerned...

[HappyClucker7]

I'm starting to get a little worried about two of my hens. One of them is an almost 2 year old Cochin bantam, and the other is an almost 1 year old D'Uccle. Neither of them is laying any eggs. The cochin laid a lot last year, and then stopped when she started molting. The D'Uccle laid one egg (her first) in winter, and then stopped when it got very cold. But all my other girls, including my other D'Uccle (same age), are laying as usual again. What I'm concerning though, is that I have seen them go and sit in the nest boxes several times throughout the last month, as if they were going to lay. But then they never did. They look and act fine, so I don't know what's causing them not to lay. Do I just have to wait longer, or is something wrong?

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I'm starting to get a little worried about two of my hens. One of them is an almost 2 year old Cochin bantam, and the other is an almost 1 year old D'Uccle. Neither of them is laying any eggs. The cochin laid a lot last year, and then stopped when she started molting. The D'Uccle laid one egg (her first) in winter, and then stopped when it got very cold. But all my other girls, including my other D'Uccle (same age), are laying as usual again. What I'm concerning though, is that I have seen them go and sit in the nest boxes several times throughout the last month, as if they were going to lay. But then they never did. They look and act fine, so I don't know what's causing them not to lay. Do I just have to wait longer, or is something wrong?

Huh, interesting. Eating and drinking normal?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Huh, interesting. Eating and drinking normal?

Yep. Everything else about them is normal.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Yep. Everything else about them is normal.

Would have suggested egg blindness, but they are usually lethargic. Do you notice anything different when they are trying to lay? Such as "weird" noises, or squatting?

 

[HappyClucker7]

Would have suggested egg blindness, but they are usually lethargic. Do you notice anything different when they are trying to lay? Such as "weird" noises, or squatting?

No, they just sit in the nest box for a while, and then leave again.

 

[Weeg]

Have you checked for mites or lice? Since this has been going on for so long I'd rule out reproductive issues.
Are you sure they aren't laying? Maybe a hidden nest?

 

[The-White-Elephant]

No, they just sit in the nest box for a while, and then leave again.

Maybe they are eating their eggs?

 

[Weeg]

Maybe they are eating their eggs?

I'd think there would be evidence of that. Sticky nest boxes, egg shell remnants, it would be obvious I'd think.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I'd think there would be evidence of that. Sticky nest boxes, egg shell remnants, it would be obvious I'd think.

I think I have an egg eater, only evidence is egg yolk on another egg.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They might still be ramping up for the season and hopefully will start again soon - a little unusual for relatively young birds, but not outside the realm of possibility.