This Hen Mama is confused....

[8675309j]

We have not gotten any eggs from any of our Hens in a few months now. Its so depressing. We started with our Girls (and a guy who we re-homed) just over a year ago. All were awesome layers with the exception of 1 who passed away suddenly in Jan (believe she was egg bound). I supplemented light over the winter and we got eggs non stop (won't do that again this winter, I think it threw them off). My hunch has been that they all are going through a molt, started with the wellsummer, then the buff brahma and now the Buff orpington. Just going by the feathers all over the coop and yard. However non of them are laying, they all stopped about the same time and none have started back up. I check them for mites and other bugs all the time. Did a massive clean out of the coop, saw no signs of infestation. But still no eggs. We started them on a feather fixer feed which they hated but slowly we took away most the scratch we were offering them and they are eating it more and more. Lots of water with some electrolites added. How long do these molts last? None of them are bare of feathers but there are feathers all over. Does this sound like a normal molt? Will they ever lay again? We love the eggs, primary reason for having them but they are our pets as well. I notice the poo is watery lately, its been super hot here in Seattle. Cooling down some this week.

To add to my confusion my Buff Brahma disappeared on Wed. They were free ranging the yard all day, and at night 2 turned in and she never did. They do wonder to the neighbors yard through out the day. We searched all the bushes and the neighborhood and no signs of her. So strange. We miss her!

 

[chicmom]

Oh, I'm so sorry about the missing hen. I hope she returns. Could they be laying somewhere else? Sometimes they have a secret stash somewhere where they decide to lay their eggs.....

Or, you could be right, they might be molting and then it can take a few months for them to begin laying again....

Sometimes, something changes in their environment too, that causes them stress and then they stop laying. Anybody new move into the neighborhood with a big, barking dog, or loud playing kids?

Those are just some ideas.......

 

[8675309j]

No, we are in the cityish. They are used to dogs (we have 2) and used to kids. Our neighbors love them. We have checked bushed kept them in the coop for days to retrain just in case. One was laying in a bush and keeping her in the coop broke it. Thanks for the response. Im hoping its just molt and weather and nothing more serious.

 

[8675309j]

Should i medicate as a preventative?? If so what should i use?

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

How old are they? Hens will typically decrease in laying around 2-3 years old.

A molt can also cause them to stop laying eggs. Last fall, I had 10 out of 12 girls go through a molt all at the same time, and it was a good month until I saw an egg from any of them. Molting doesn't have to be a full feather loss, it's just when a chicken sheds some of their feathers (more or less) to replace any missing or damaged ones before or after winter hits. Even if it's a small molt, it can be enough for a hen to stop laying. Do you have any pictures of them?

 

[8675309j]

They are 15 months old. By look you can't tell they are missing feathers. Only by the down looking yard and coop.

 

[aart]

I wouldn't medicate unless there is something definite to medicate for.

Look at their combs/wattles....they will be smaller, pale and dryish looking if they are not laying.
When they are laying they get larger, plump and a vibrant, waxy, brilliant red.

Pale, dry combs and lots of feathers in the coop ....molting....even without lots of feathers around can be a mild molt, they sometimes eat all the feathers.

 

[8675309j]

WE went to the vet yesterday and it turns out she has a respiratory infection. They wanted to admit her, but it would at least 1200. I opted to get her some fluids and meds and bring her home. She is doing well, but they didn't give her a great prognosis. I didn't care for the vet. I am going to take a coop fecal sample in tomorrow when I take her in for more fluids. They will test it and then I will treat both my girls for worms or whatever once we know what exactly they may have going on. I have never wormed them. We use DE and always thought that was the safe route to prevent. Live and learn I suppose.