ckhicken not laying

[tyler1]

I have 3 chickens, 2 lay consitantly, the other a light sussex, very rarely lays, quite looks like it is building a nest in the dust, she is only about 28 weeks old the same as the other, help please?

[Clanad]

There are a number of things that can cause a hen to go off lay. It's generally the wrong time of the year for mounting, but not unheard of. The dusting your seeing is normal behaviour for healthy chickens, but also accompanies moulting. If she's not losing feathers and doesn't appear scruffy, it's probalby not that. Secondly, illness in chickens is quickly determined by the color and "uprightness" (for lack of a better word) of their comb. Should be bright red and not folded over or limp. If it does indicate a problem, my first suspicion is usually Coccidiosis, since it's a parasite induced illnes common in chickens. It's treated (once diagnosed) with various sulfa type drugs available form a vet or supply store and fed with their normal feed. Keeping their entire area clean helps in controlling the outbreaks. If the other 2 are healthy this is probalby not indicated... Best of luck!

[Clanad]

There are a number of things that can cause a hen to go off lay. It's generally the wrong time of the year for moulting, but not unheard of. The dusting your seeing is normal behaviour for healthy chickens, but also accompanies moulting. If she's not losing feathers and doesn't appear scruffy, it's probalby not that. Secondly, illness in chickens is quickly determined by the color and "uprightness" (for lack of a better word) of their comb. Should be bright red and not folded over or limp. If it does indicate a problem, my first suspicion is usually Coccidiosis, since it's a parasite induced illnes common in chickens. It's treated (once diagnosed) with various sulfa type drugs available form a vet or supply store and fed with their normal feed. Keeping their entire area clean helps in controlling the outbreaks. If the other 2 are healthy this is probalby not indicated... Best of luck!

[snug]

Coq au Vin

[Clanad]

Hmmm... looks like the gremlings are running amok in the system today... excuse the double posting...

[spudqueen]

My neighbour has three hens. One lays every day, one lays every few days and the other one very rarely lays. Maybe it's just a hen thing!

[wildwood]

Light sussex being a heavy breed will not lay as well as others at this early age. When I was young 25 weeks was a reasonable age when the heavy breed would have been expected to start laying, so if your has been laying for a while it is doing ok. Once the molt has been and gone she will most probably lay a lot more frequent than now. Light sussex will never be a constant '1 egg per day' layer but will lay eggs for more years than the egg machines.

[feebee102]

Three of my chickens(2 light sussex,1 Buff Orpington) have all gone broody at the moment.The only thing that can be done is to try and cool then down,either by not letting them sit in the nest box,seem crule but I put them out on the grass and lock the nest box,or nest them in a cage so the cooler air can circulate around them.
Have you checked your chook for mites.This can also put them off laying.
My chooks do also have a tendancy to recact to the weather.If it's to warm no eggs,to cold or damp no eggs.
Funny creatures.