Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[CharLeila]

My girls seem to be off laying and I'm only getting about 1 egg per day at the moment.

The only changes have been the loss of Hilda a few weeks back and the introduction of 2 14 week old girls. Introduction has gone well and all are now sleeping, eating and FRing together with no problems.

Pepperpot is losing feathers and her whole underside is bald and now a line going from her breast up her neck. She doesn't get pecked by the others as she seems to be at the top of the pecking order. some of the feathers seem to be broken off rather than coming out whole. I don't think she is moulting as all mine seemed to moult just before winter last year. Im no expert but they are always fed well on layers with the odd green treat in the afternoon and always have plenty of fresh water.

I don't know if it's something im doing or if I should take her to the vet!

 

Any help/advice is appreciated!

 

Regards

[percy049]

Have you recently wormed them or check them for lice/mites? also, check for bullying or red mite in the house if you dont have an eglu. this could be the reason for no eggs. introductions are always stressful, and can reduce or stop egg production.

hens dont usually start laying their eggs until about 20 weeks.

[Egluntyne]

It could be the stress of the recent changes. I'd worm her if you haven't done so already.

[CharLeila]

Thanks for your quick replies.

 

I literally wormed them a few weeks ago when I got the 2 new girls. I have a cube and have never even seen red mite. I have checked Pepperpot over but I think I'll have another look now. Possibly the new introduction and worming could be the cause of no eggs but what about the feather loss? I'm puzzled and a bit worried about her really.

[CharLeila]

OK, Pepperpot is moulting again! Just had a really good look over her and she has loads of new feathers coming through! This time last week there were no new ones at all!

So, does that explain why she isn't laying? Also, there are quite a few of Florence's feathers scattered around so I'm thinking that maybe she is starting to moult too?!

That would explain 1 egg a day from Gingernut. Margaret and Tracey need to get their act's together and start paying their way!

I hope I'm right about it all, wouldn't want any of them to have lice or mites!

[percy049]

When hens are moulting they cease egg production, as all the protein and nutrients that goes into eggs are re-directed into feather growth. I would regulary check for lice just in case too.

[ecoelf]

I came on here to post pretty much the same question, i have 4 hens up to a few weeks ago we had 6 two of them have died within a couple of weeks of each other, one was egg bound the other old age since then i have one that appears to be moulting but no reason why the other three have stopped one lays an egg every couple of days. its really puzzling me now.

[chickencam]

They do sometimes have a mid season mini moult.