alih Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 My black rock has been with us since June, and laid about 5 eggs when she turned 22 weeks ish....but in recent weeks she has laid nothing. She is healthy and happy but just does not lay - I don't mind but am curious as to whether anyone else has experience of a non-layer?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Has she been overdoing it with the treats? Have you checked her for lice and mites? Have she been wormed? All the above could prevent her from laying. Why not try confining her to the run for a few days till mid afternoon, so that she eats nothing but pellets for most of the day, and then allow minimal free ranging and one treat before bedtime. That should make sure that she is getting the optimal nutrition required for egg laying. Have you checked that she is not laying eggs in secret, under a shrub for example? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 thanks Egluntine as always! She is the one who has a massive crop and funnily enough when we were away and they were only let out for a couple of hours in the afternoon she did lay one egg. I wonder whether the crop problem means she digests things more slowly or things can't get into her system? If I confine her to the run should I confine her on her own? Seems a bit mean to keep them all cooped up because of one chicken.... she doesn't have worms or lice but they do free-range in a netted off bit nearly all day..doesn't affect the other 3 though...any bright ideas would be really welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Maybe if you keep her in the run for a bit longer than the others she will tank up on pellets and start laying again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 I will try that and see - or maybe putting her in earlier than the others in the evenings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I find mine are fooled by "pellet porridge"!! If you just mix some pellets with hot water so they all swell up and form a porridge like consistency and give that to them, they'll wolf it down as a "treat" and then you'll know she's getting her pellets. Mine fall for it every time, and this is when I mix in whatever extras I want them to get i.e. chicken spice, limestone flour or whatever.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 What I good idea!! I think I may try that to see if they enjoy it..... do you give it to them early so they dont go to bed on a full tummy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 great idea, Omletina - have just in fact shut her in the run on her own with a massive bowl of pellet porridge and she has not taken her face out of it! The others are furious as they think they are missing out, bless! Thanks guys - I shall update if and when we have an egg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 One of ours free loaded for 4 months when we first got her.. laid one egg then took another month off. She now lays every day.. some just take a while to get going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 One of mine laid 10 little eggs at about that age (22 wks) then stopped for about 2 or 3 months . She lays very consistently now though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
