Why isn't my hen laying? Today is day 13.

[brandon00733]

My hen went Broody we opted to get her incubated eggs and she hatched them. Now it was about 7 weeks she was Broody until the eggs hatched. We took the babies away 13 days ago (we couldn't keep them just wanted to break her broodiness) I guess the question is when will she may again? She looks great no more stress I've read she should have started laying 3-4 days after babies were gone. I just want to be sure I'm not missing anything with her.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Mine start laying about a few weeks after they wean the chicks, so somewhere around 8 or 9 weeks after they hatch them (if I let them keep and raise them)

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You have read incorrectly.

Hens don't start laying 3 to 4 days after hatching a brood...generally it is at least 3 to 4 weeks. They have to fully rebuild their system again, and most molt after the hormone shift from brooding...further delaying egg laying.

Feed her extra protein and calcium...mashed eggs with yogurt is good. The sooner she rebuilds her body the sooner she will likely come back into laying.

But it can take several weeks or months before a brooding hen begins to lay again. (
and then she may simply go broody again!)

LofMc

 

[brandon00733]

Ok! Well that makes sense! Thank you.