Enclosures are empty: Some hens that are not laying eggs may frequently enter the nest box, especially after 4 PM. They often remain inside and avoid feeding. When you gently touch the hen’s vent area, there is no sensation of an egg present. This behavior can lead to confusion with hens that are simply resting or not active. To prevent misidentification, these hens should be separated or removed promptly.
The back of the chicken is clean: Healthy, fertile hens typically have some dirt on their backs after mating with a rooster. Hens that are not fertile often avoid the rooster, so their backs remain clean. During the breeding season, if the ground is still dry, check for mud on the hen’s back. If no mud is found and no egg is detected when touching the cloaca, it is likely the hen is not laying eggs.
Gastrointestinal atrophy: Hens suffering from chronic digestive issues may lay thin-shelled, soft, or shell-less eggs. When palpating the abdominal area, you may detect tumors, broken eggs, or foreign objects. In high-production periods, hens are easily startled during the day, so it's better to check them at night or early in the morning. Healthy hens usually have soft, moist droppings. Hens that aren’t laying eggs often have dry, stringy feces due to poor digestion and reduced food intake. If such droppings are observed, those hens should be examined closely. Checking feces regularly can also help identify early signs of egg abnormalities caused by improper medication or feed, allowing for timely intervention.
Excessive fat deposits: These hens appear large and red, with excessive skin folds, full feathers, and visible oil on their bodies. Their toes may be swollen, and their bones lack the usual angularity. These chickens often become active later in the morning and earlier in the evening. It’s important to observe and measure these birds separately, as they may show signs of low egg production or no eggs at all. Identifying and removing them can improve overall flock productivity.
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