why is my hen NOT laying eggs

[chickenmama109]

i have a duccle i thnk she was trying to go broodey last weak ever since that day she has not layed a egg she is not broodey i dont know whats wrong with her what do i do she i check to see if she is egg bound and how do i check she is six months old



thanks to all help

 

[Jessica Thompson]

It's colder maybe not were you live but chickens can sense the change it will be ok

 

[Wyorp Rock]

i have a duccle i thnk she was trying to go broodey last weak ever since that day she has not layed a egg she is not broodey i dont know whats wrong with her what do i do she i check to see if she is egg bound and how do i check she is six months old
thanks to all help

Hi @thewolf1039
Is she eating/drinking?
Is she pooping?
Any signs of lethargy or distress?
What type of food/treats do you feed?

A pullet that is truly "egg bound" or that has an egg "stuck" in the oviduct would be in distress, not pooping and would most likely die within 48hours of the egg binding.

She is young - 6months, so would probably lay through winter, but it could be reduced daylight hours that has caused a decline in egg laying. Bantams don't lay that many eggs a year anyway so you have to consider this as well.

If she was showing signs of broodiness, she may have stopped laying too.

Watch to see that she is drinking well and eating. Check her crop to make sure it's emptying overnight. If she shows no signs of distress or lethargy, then she may just be taking a break.

Once we get more information, we may be able to make better suggestions.

 

[chickenmama109]

thanks yes I think she is eating and drinking she is lowest in the pecking order so they run her off a lot but she is acting normal just not laying

 

[Wyorp Rock]

thanks yes I think she is eating and drinking she is lowest in the pecking order so they run her off a lot but she is acting normal just not laying

Just keep an eye on her to make sure she is eating/drinking. If she is being kept from food, this may be why you thought she was broody? Could she have been hiding instead?

If she is being bullied, this can affect laying.

You may want to consider having multiple food/water stations - preferably on opposite ends of the run. A lot depends on how room and how many birds you have - you can have more than 2 of each. This keeps the bully girls from dominating the food - they can't control 2 feed stations at a time. When I give treats - if it's something like scratch (very small amount) I scatter it in as many different places that I can. If treats like grapes, hard boiled eggs, peas, etc are given out - I use bowls - I use at least 4 bowls and those are placed in separate areas - spaced out.
Just some thoughts.

 

[chickenmama109]

thanks I have two waters one feeder and they free range every day I went out to look at her and she is not doing much just scratching at the ground alittle and cleaning her feathers but so other hens are doing that to but she just seems a little off

 

[Wyorp Rock]

thanks I have two waters one feeder and they free range every day I went out to look at her and she is not doing much just scratching at the ground alittle and cleaning her feathers but so other hens are doing that to but she just seems a little off

Do you have any photos or a video of her?

You know her best, so is she seems off, then examine her closely. Look for lice/mites, feel her crop and monitor it to ensure it's emptying overnight. Gently feel her abdomen for any signs of bloat/swelling or feeling of fluid.

If she's not been eating well, offer her some poultry vitamins and extra protein to see if that will give her a boost.

 

[chickenmama109]

ok thanks what will her crop fill like is emptying good I felt it before they went to sleep last night and it felt hard

 

[Wyorp Rock]

ok thanks what will her crop fill like is emptying good I felt it before they went to sleep last night and it felt hard

It can feel a bit hard/full of feed at night. You want to check it again first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks - it should feel empty/flat. If it still feels hard in the morning, then she's having some crop problems.
Do you provide a source of poultry grit (crushed granite) for your chickens?

 

[chickenmama109]

i felt the crop before i let them out to free range it felt good and empty and yes i put the grit on the ground so they can find it