Two year old Austrolorp hasn’t laid in 6 days

[z3lda3]

Hi! So my black Austrolorp hasn't laid in 6 days. She seems healthy, acting normal eating and drinking. Her poop looks good. She not bound that I can feel, she walks normal, she’s still active with the rooster. Not molting, no changes in environment. The weathers been great! 70s in the day, high 50s at night. Typically she’d lay about 4-5 eggs a week. Any ideas?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Hi! So my black Austrolorp hasn't laid in 6 days. She seems healthy, acting normal eating and drinking. Her poop looks good. She not bound that I can feel, she walks normal, she’s still active with the rooster. Not molting, no changes in environment. The weathers been great! 70s in the day, high 50s at night. Typically she’d lay about 4-5 eggs a week. Any ideas?

As you are in the Northern hemisphere, I suspect that you are seeing the result of rapidly diminishing hours of daylight. Autumnal equinox was back on September 22, when we last had 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night, and the daylight hours are rapidly decreasing.

Chickens generally need up to 14 hours of daylight to trigger the hormones that get laying underway, and where I live (Asheville), we're down to 11 1/2 hours of daylight. Temperatures are completely irrelevant - it's just light hours.

There might be something else going on, but I'm guessing that it's just the time of year.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

- Also, she might be going into molt. How old is she, and has she molted before? Pullets often skip molting their first fall/winter, but by the time they hit their second, they will probably take a break from laying and regrow feathers instead. If this might be happening, consider a high (20%) protein feed, or your normal feed supplemented by animal protein like ground beef, to help her get through molt ASAP. Good luck!

 

[z3lda3]

As you are in the Northern hemisphere, I suspect that you are seeing the result of rapidly diminishing hours of daylight. Autumnal equinox was back on September 22, when we last had 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night, and the daylight hours are rapidly decreasing.

Chickens generally need up to 14 hours of daylight to trigger the hormones that get laying underway, and where I live (Asheville), we're down to 11 1/2 hours of daylight. Temperatures are completely irrelevant - it's just light hours.

There might be something else going on, but I'm guessing that it's just the time of year.

As you are in the Northern hemisphere, I suspect that you are seeing the result of rapidly diminishing hours of daylight. Autumnal equinox was back on September 22, when we last had 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night, and the daylight hours are rapidly decreasing.

Chickens generally need up to 14 hours of daylight to trigger the hormones that get laying underway, and where I live (Asheville), we're down to 11 1/2 hours of daylight. Temperatures are completely irrelevant - it's just light hours.

There might be something else going on, but I'm guessing that it's just the time of year.

I’m 45 minutes or from you. And you are absolutely right! The diminishing daylight!!! Whew I totally didn’t think about that, you’re just wise!
For me it’s always worse case scenario. Is she sick? Or egg bound? Common sense things slip my mind. Thank you so much.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’m 45 minutes or from you. And you are absolutely right! The diminishing daylight!!! Whew I totally didn’t think about that, you’re just wise!
For me it’s always worse case scenario. Is she sick? Or egg bound? Common sense things slip my mind. Thank you so much.

You're welcome! And no wisdom involved; I've just learned a ton hanging around here!

Are you more toward the mountains or toward the foothills? I'll be interested to see what the fall leaf color season looks like this year!

 

[z3lda3]

- Also, she might be going into molt. How old is she, and has she molted before? Pullets often skip molting their first fall/winter, but by the time they hit their second, they will probably take a break from laying and regrow feathers instead. If this might be happening, consider a high (20%) protein feed, or your normal feed supplemented by animal protein like ground beef, to help her get through molt ASAP. Good luck!

She’s two years old. She’s not molting that I can tell, but a lot of my other girls are. I’ve got the extra protein for them. I make flock block with mealworms and tuna and a bit of poached egg for them. It stinks but they LOVE it!

 

[z3lda3]

You're welcome! And no wisdom involved; I've just learned a ton hanging around here!

Are you more toward the mountains or toward the foothills? I'll be interested to see what the fall leaf color season looks like this year!

I’m in the rolling hills with lower elevation..the piedmont area. And I’ve got falling leaves, and a bit of orange here and there but nothing significant I can’t wait until the mountains are on fire!! The reds and golds are gorgeous!