Young hen stopped laying

[cverba]

Hello fellow chicken lovers!

My RIR "Little Red" started laying at about 19 weeks- she laid for about a week and a half and since then, nothing!

I understand that not laying everyday while she figures it out is fine, but I'm worried that she might have an egg stuck? How would I determine this?

She's got oyster shells, layer feed, and plenty of greens. I've given her kale and high calcium greens. She does appear slimmer since she started laying, but I've seen her eating and drinking.

The other RIR "Cleo" is also doing her submissive dance (squats and cha-chas) but no eggs from her. I did get 2 eggs on one day the very first day of found eggs, but not since then. It is probable that only one laid and I just didn't see it from the day before. Cleo on the other hand is quite plump... how do you determine if a chicken is too fat to lay? I don't think she's fat, but she is larger than her sister.

Should I be concerned? Or when should I be concerned?

 

[cverba]

Also, can the ground oyster shells be to large for them to ingest? Should I grind them down? I don't see them eating most of the oyster shells as they're a bit bigger (they grew up on crumbles).

 

[donrae]

How long has the first bird not layed?

 

[cverba]

Little Red hasn't laid for 4 days now. I've seen her nesting every day but no egg.

 

[donrae]

That's pretty normal for a new layer. It's common to have a pretty irregular pattern when they start laying, taking several days off especially after a good solid run of laying every day. I'd just give her time, she'll figure things out.

 

[cverba]

Ok thanks. I just didn't know if I should be concerned or not. How long should I expect her not to lay? Can it go another several weeks for a new hen?

 

[donrae]

IMO they don't usually quit for over a week. It's just spotty at first.

 

[cverba]

I got two eggs today! So either Miss Lil Red laid two or both reds are laying... Just an update on it. Maybe they're week day layers

 

[Bullitt]

Maybe they're week day layers

The next thing you know they will be starting a union.

 

[cverba]

The next thing you know they will be starting a union.

It's no sweat shop I'm working here! Not with 3 hens!