When to help?

[HeatherKellyB]

My 16 month old Buff Orpington hen seems to be having trouble laying. She's still out and about foraging but I'm wondering at what point do I need to intervene as far as a warm Epsom Salt soak? She lives with 4 other hens and I've yet to discover who is laying which egg. Some girls are molting and Darla, the BO, is beginning to molt. I know that she's having trouble laying because she keeps going to the nesting box and she'll sit for a while, sing her song, and then leave to go forage a bit, then repeat. I just gave her a tablet of Calcium Citrate + D3(630mg/12.5mcg). They eat Purina Flock Raiser and Nutrena Hearty Hen. They have access to grit and oyster shell. Her vent looks normal right now. Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate it

 

[sourland]

This is not abnormal behavior for pullets coming into lay.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

This is not abnormal behavior for pullets coming into lay.

She's 16 months old. Is she still considered a new layer? Thank you for your time

 

[aart]

She's 16 months old. Is she still considered a new layer? Thank you for your time

She's probably ramping down production for molting and winter break.
Some bird will go thru the motions of laying but not lay...
....you can also get some funky eggs around this time.
As long as she is otherwise eating/drinking/pooping/moving around OK, I'd not worry.
No need for calcium supplements(tho if being fed FR they need Oyster Shell available) or soaks.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

She's probably ramping down production for molting and winter break.
Some bird will go thru the motions of laying but not lay...
....you can also get some funky eggs around this time.
As long as she is otherwise eating/drinking/pooping/moving around OK, I'd not worry.
No need for calcium supplements(tho if being fed FR they need Oyster Shell available) or soaks.

Thank you! This makes a lot of sense as I believe she's slowly beginning to molt. She never leaves feathers anywhere and I've noticed a few on the ground. She's also been far more bossy with my bantams. One of the bantams loves to use their nesting box and Darla knew that the little one was waiting for her finish, maybe that had something to do with it? I tend to insert human emotions into things too often so, please overlook me. I didn't want to stress her with a soak or vent check unless it was necessary. She's still acting normal this morning. Thank you so much for your time and sharing your knowledge with me. This information is very helpful.