4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Sue Peters]

Hi

Our Josephine seemed to be under the weather about 7 weeks ago. I have witnessed the demise of her predecessors so thought she was on the way out. She lost a lot of weight, wasn't behaving like a chicken and had stopped laying eggs. I thought she was either broody, dying or confused! Then, she got better, started behaving like a chicken again but hasn't laid an egg for about 5 weeks now. She seems ok although a bit slower generally and not that interested in treats. Everything else is fine, no mites etc. SO, my question is has she had a hen menopause and can hens live after they have stopped producing eggs?!

 

Hope someone might be able to shed some light. Thanks

Sue

[Ain't Nobody Here]

How old is she, Sue? I know they can certainly live quite happily without laying so if she doesn't seem to have a illness/infestation perhaps she has just run out of eggs!

[Sue Peters]

She's about two I think. She looks a bit sorry for herself but she's okay (I think) otherwsie.

Sue

[Ain't Nobody Here]

My girls are about 2 as well. We've had a dry spell with no eggs but I then discovered that they were laying but they were very fragile and they were eating them . I've only just had 3 useable eggs this week.

 

So you may find she starts laying again out of the blue .

[Olly]

Yes, they can live for quite a while after they stop laying eggs.

 

My two-year old Gingernut stopped laying really last autumn. I have had the occasional egg, but not for weeks now and I don't expect any more - she's definitely hit the 'hennopause'.

 

She seems healthy and happy, and is enjoying her retirement!

[Chickybaby]

Hi Sue

One of my chickens hasn't laid for 2 years now, I've had her for 3 years and she's an ex-bat. She's quite happy in her retirement!

[Sue Peters]

Thanks. I think she's okay. As long as she's happy I don't mind her not laying!!

Sue