Why has my chicken stopped laying

[TeeBee]

We bought a mother and two babies about a month ago and didn't expect her to lay at all yet as they had been moved and she is looking after chicks. However, for the first few weeks of getting to our house she layed an egg every other day. However, for some reason she has suddenly stopped laying for the last two weeks. She looks generally healthy and we let them roam the garden a few times a day and feed them all on chick mash (soon moving onto layers mash). Anyone got any ideas why she might have stopped laying?

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Its 'cos she's having chick mash not layers. The content of layers is different and encourages them to lay more (higher protein or something).

[Callisto]

Are you sure she isn't laying somewhere else? My chooks don't get layers mash or pellets and lay just fine - it is a myth that they need it if they are getting plenty of greens and mixed corn.

[TeeBee]

We were told that chick mash and layer mash were essentially the same but that the chick mash had added medication. Is that not right then?

[MehgaLegs]

Chances are, like Callisto says she is laying eggs somewhere else. Does she get very vocal when she's laid? My hens are very noisy when they have laid an egg, maybe listen out for her and run out to see where she is.

Chickens also stop laying when they are in moult. Have you noticed loose feathers around. If over the next few days she starts to look a bit patchy that might be the reason.

[MehgaLegs]

Chick crumbs often contain a coccidiostat.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

If the chick crumb you've got does contain the medication then you shouldn't eat any eggs if your hens are eating it - so I've been told.

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

The chick crumb I get makes it clear on the package that it contains it.

[tortoiseSHELL]

Is it described as 'medicated chick crumbs?'

[TeeBee]

Yes, she is moulting, that will probably be it. How long does that normally last then? Doubt she is laying elsewhere, my boys would definately find them and use them as golf balls

Hadn't heard that about not eating the eggs if they were feeding on medicated chick mash - will get them onto layeres pellets as soon as possible I think.

Many thanks for the great advice ladies.

[Spidermama]

My dh says his stopped laying because it turned into a feller.