We have a freeloader who used to lay.

[patriot_ameraucana]

One of our 11 chickens, Speedy, laid about 5 blue eggs in May of 2017 but then stopped. She has laid 0 eggs since. All of our other 10 chickens (Who vary in age from 11 months to about 6 months) lay, but our one 14 month old Ameraucana or Easter egger just won't give us another one of her eggs. We can't tell if she just can't anymore, which makes no since because she laid the eggs 5 days straight, or because our old rooster was given away around the time she stopped laying. We don't know, and if anyone has info on why, it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sometimes they take breaks, even for months. Most will resume in the next few months. The other option is she has a hidden nest somewhere.

 

[Teila]

I have a happy, healthy, 4 year old frizzle bantam Cochin who has not laid an egg for 2 years!

A hen hatches with all of the ova or potential eggs already in her system and does not form any more. I believe the number is in the tens of thousands and obviously, only some progress to be eggs. However, some hens, like possibly my girl, may not have developed correctly and only have a limited number of ova

 

[ChickNanny13]

If you free range your chickens, you need to look around. 2x oldhenlikesdogs

 

[patriot_ameraucana]

we would have found one of these 180 eggs. there are very few low-lying hiding spots.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

we would have found one of these 180 eggs. there are very few low-lying hiding spots.

Most EE don't lay daily and they do often take breaks.

As far as hidden nests, they can be incredibly hard to see sometimes, even when right in front of your face. Do your birds free range? I've had hens sneak into sheds and lay both high and low.

 

[RodNTN]

I have 5 Easter Eggers, and 2 of them haven't laid since last year.

 

[orrpeople]

Sadly, my EEs are not fantastic layers - they're very sporadic. A few months will be awesome, and then six months will go by with no eggs!
They are sweet birds, but that's about it, at least in my own experience.

 

[aart]

As far as hidden nests, they can be incredibly hard to see sometimes, even when right in front of your face. Do your birds free range? I've had hens sneak into sheds and lay both high and low.

Ditto Dat^^^
If you do free range:
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Sadly, my EEs are not fantastic layers - they're very sporadic. A few months will be awesome, and then six months will go by with no eggs!
They are sweet birds, but that's about it, at least in my own experience.

Darn, that's not what I want to hear I love Orpingtons, Wyandottes & Ameraucanas/EEs ... I had 5 Blue Wyandottes that laid 3 - 4/day, the 4BOs I have now I get 3.5/day, contemplating AM/EEs my next group ...