I bought an adult black copper marans last summer. I was told she was between 12-24 months old. After her initial 3 week strike in response to the move, she laid a gorgeous egg every other day for about 6 weeks. The first week of September, she abruptly stopped. I figured it was because it was getting to be fall, and maybe she was molting. In mid-November, I got another egg.
I've had nothing since. I did put a light in the hen house for a few hours a day, and my other chickens laid through the winter. About a month ago, I took the light out, and all but two stopped laying, and went into molt.
Anyway, I figure the other chickens will finish molting sooner or later, and start laying again, but I'm not at all sure about the deadbeat.
I'm wondering if maybe she's actually significantly older than I was told? And if so, could be done laying FOREVER? I don't have a huge set up (7 chickens), and I don't really want to "waste" one of those spots on a chicken that doesn't lay, isn't friendly, and generally just eats food.
I've had nothing since. I did put a light in the hen house for a few hours a day, and my other chickens laid through the winter. About a month ago, I took the light out, and all but two stopped laying, and went into molt.
Anyway, I figure the other chickens will finish molting sooner or later, and start laying again, but I'm not at all sure about the deadbeat.
I'm wondering if maybe she's actually significantly older than I was told? And if so, could be done laying FOREVER? I don't have a huge set up (7 chickens), and I don't really want to "waste" one of those spots on a chicken that doesn't lay, isn't friendly, and generally just eats food.
