Chicken bald back

[Jeniwren]

Hi Everyone

 

I've been the proud owner of an eglu and 2 chooks since August, everything was going swimmingly, getting 2 eggs a day, and my girls were happy and content.......

 

But now Cruella (the black Pepperpot) has stopped laying. No eggs for over a week now. She has absolutely no signs of illness or broodiness. She's up, out and alert, she's eating, her feathers are beautiful and glossy and her comb is upright and bright red. I worm them using an organic wormer every month, and give them poultry spice - what's going on?

 

I thought about the following possible reasons:

1) Very windy - they've been a bit freaked out with the high winds

2) Cooler weather

3) Less daylight hours

4) Less free ranging

5) All of the above

 

Jamima my gingernut is laying everyday still. Sometimes I find Cruella sitting in the nest box bit of the eglu at night and in the morning, but she doesn't stay there for long.

 

Is it possible for a chicken to be broody but still be out and about?

 

Please help

[Egluntyne]

I would try confining her to her run so that she just eats her pellets for a few days. No treats! That can often make a difference.

 

I would also consider worming her with Flubenvet.

 

In my personal experience, these herbal 'wormers' are not terribly effective.

[Jools]

It could be a simple as the time of year, though assuming she's in her first "cycle", she should be laying right through til next year for you. She could just be having a mini-break, or she should be thinking about motherhood, it does happen.

 

It's unlikely to be worms if she's looking so fit and healthy, but what are her droppings like? A chicken with a heavy worm burden will look fluffed up, hunched and generally under the weather.

 

I find that herbal wormers are effective, but hey, we all have our different chicken experiences.

[Plum]

Could she be laying the odd softie and them getting eaten before you see them.