Why does my hen sit on the nesting box without laying any eggs??

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I have a 3 yo Buff Orpington hen who, every day, will sit on the nesting box for about an hour or so, but she never lays any eggs! This has been going on for about a week, give or take. About a month ago, one of my hens who escaped the run got killed by my dog, after that, my Buff Orpington started eating her eggs for like two weeks. Now, she has stopped laying altogether. I don't think the death of one of the flock members can affect a hen for that long...? I don't think she is broody, since she only sits on the nesting for a couple hours at most; never the whole day. Just incase it is a protein/calcium problem, I have started giving my hens scrambled eggs with powdered egg shell, along with a whole host of other herbs and paprika. Out of 3 hens, I am only getting eggs from ONE of them, which is very upsetting (one of them is simply too old and lays soft shelled eggs). The one hen who DOES lay eggs, lays beautiful shelled, dark yoked eggs. I haven't switched their feed very recently. They are eating Purina Starter Crumbles with free choice Oyster Shells because I have pullets. Killing her isn't really an option because she is very much considered a pet; getting eggs is ideal though!
Why isn't she laying any eggs? Why does she sit on the nesting box? How can I encourage her to lay eggs? Is this a permanent problem? Can it be solved? Will it solve itself over time?

Any knowledge and tips on the matter are greatly appreciated!!

 

[cavemanrich]

I will be watching this thread to see what some experts may advise.
Still have some opinions.
The soft shelled eggs may be a genetic issue. You are doing everything correct with the feed. Have no solution, or suggestions.
Your 3 year old Buffy, may have gone thru trauma viewing what happened.
Maybe things will shake out in time.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[PoppasGrill]

You can try putting a fake egg in the nest for incentive.
Remember that not all breeds lay everyday. She might just be in a slump.
Your idea of just giving her some time might be the best option for now. At her age she might be wanting to but just can’t at this time.
Changes in weather and stress can also effect their cycle.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

You can try putting a fake egg in the nest for incentive.
Remember that not all breeds lay everyday. She might just be in a slump.
Your idea of just giving her some time might be the best option for now. At her age she might be wanting to but just can’t at this time.
Changes in weather and stress can also effect their cycle.

I have fake eggs in the nesting box, she sits on it but never lays any eggs of her own. Do you think she will eventually start laying? May here is usually warm, but has been rainy too. Nothing extreme, just heavy rain over that past 3 days.

 

[PoppasGrill]

I have fake eggs in the nesting box, she sits on it but never lays any eggs of her own. Do you think she will eventually start laying? May here is usually warm, but has been rainy too. Nothing extreme, just heavy rain over that past 3 days.

Can only go from our own experience, we got heavy rains for a few days last week and our Ladies egg count dropped by half. After the rains it got hot/humid and the count stayed low for two days, then picked up again.
We have several different breeds and know part of the count is due to low production breeds in the flock.
Give her some time, hopefully she will start laying again.

 

[chooki]

I have a RIR mix, she sings the egg song before going into the nesting box, sits there for about 1-2 hours, comes out and sings another egg song.

When I check the nesting box, no egg.

Maybe it's the chicken way of fake it until you make it ..

 

[Chickenmama1966]

I have a 3 yo Buff Orpington hen who, every day, will sit on the nesting box for about an hour or so, but she never lays any eggs! This has been going on for about a week, give or take. About a month ago, one of my hens who escaped the run got killed by my dog, after that, my Buff Orpington started eating her eggs for like two weeks. Now, she has stopped laying altogether. I don't think the death of one of the flock members can affect a hen for that long...? I don't think she is broody, since she only sits on the nesting for a couple hours at most; never the whole day. Just incase it is a protein/calcium problem, I have started giving my hens scrambled eggs with powdered egg shell, along with a whole host of other herbs and paprika. Out of 3 hens, I am only getting eggs from ONE of them, which is very upsetting (one of them is simply too old and lays soft shelled eggs). The one hen who DOES lay eggs, lays beautiful shelled, dark yoked eggs. I haven't switched their feed very recently. They are eating Purina Starter Crumbles with free choice Oyster Shells because I have pullets. Killing her isn't really an option because she is very much considered a pet; getting eggs is ideal though!
Why isn't she laying any eggs? Why does she sit on the nesting box? How can I encourage her to lay eggs? Is this a permanent problem? Can it be solved? Will it solve itself over time?

Any knowledge and tips on the matter are greatly appreciated!!

Should be feeding at least 17% layer feed. No idea about the crumbles, is that for chicks??

 

[StinkyAcres]

Is she still sitting in the nest boxes and not laying eggs? Any swelling of her abdomen below her vent? If I were you I would give her one Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet daily for a couple days in case it's a reproductive problem. Both of my Buff Orpingtons died young, one of egg yolk peritonitis/ascites.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Is she still sitting in the nest boxes and not laying eggs? Any swelling of her abdomen below her vent? If I were you I would give her one Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet daily for a couple days in case it's a reproductive problem. Both of my Buff Orpingtons died young, one of egg yolk peritonitis/ascites.

Actually she started laying again yesterday! I got an egg today too. They are both beautiful eggs from her. She is acting totally normal and is in high spirits.
This was her first egg since the big break, a bit long, but healthy:

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Should be feeding at least 17% layer feed. No idea about the crumbles, is that for chicks??

She was getting free choice Oyster Shells with the Starter Crumbles (I had to feed them because I have pullets). They are now all eating Cluck & Co. All Flock pellets (20% protein), with free choice Oyster Shells for my layers.