What is going on?

[flowergirl60]

I was given 2 adult RIR chickens 2 months ago. Only 1 has layed eggs and not the other. Yesterday the non layer went into the nesting box for a while and I thought she was trying to lay an egg. After she got out I went and checked and no egg. Today the same time as yesterday she went back to the box. And after she got out I checked and no egg.

Could she be trying to lay and not able to? Any ideas?

 

[nuttyredhead]

Do you know how old they are?

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
They are a little over a yr old.

 

[dewey]

I wonder if she could be just finishing up molting maybe? If she seems healthy otherwise you could check her vent.

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
OK I will do that if she lets me catch her. I'm really new at this and kind of don't know what to feel for. She seems heathly active and otherwise overall fine. No lost feathers.

 

[oldchickenlady]

I have 11 hens and frequently some of mine will do the same thing. They will get in the nest, sit there for a long while sometimes, then...no egg. I don't know why they do it, but mine are all apparently healthy and well.

 

[dewey]

Yeah, if she's eating and acting normal otherwise she's probably not egg bound. How long ago did your other girl start laying after she arrived? Maybe this girl is just taking longer to adjust. Sounds like she might start laying soon.

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
It took the other one about 2 weeks to adjust to thier new home. It was really cold and winter time tho. I'll just keep an eye out since she is acting normally and hope for an egg from her soon. Thanks

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Elphaba2140]

When my girls were young and just before they were starting to lay they would go in the boxes and have the same behaviors you are describing. I think of it as "practice" for the real thing. It wasn't long after that that I got my first eggs. I added a group of young girls in the middle of Summer last year and they did the same thing. I suspect it will not be too soon before you see two eggs in there!