[timtheenchanteruk]

I have 3 hens, and until last week was getting 3 eggs a day, one from each...

however I now only get 2 a day, I know one is definatly laying each day, I can almost set my watch by her (about 8:00 every morning) however the other egg arrives later on, so dont know if its every other day by both the other hens, or one thats laying/one stopped etc etc...

Both other hens seem fine, eating well, still active and alert, a physical check shows no sign of a bound egg (much relieved) 

am I being paranoid, or should I be worried??

[bantam novice]

Could one be going broody or moulting?

[daisy1990]

lots of hens dont lay every day and when ours is broody she stops for weeks on end!  If they look healthy and are eating and drinking well dont worry

[Lindeggs]

I suggest you should give them all a physical check - are their combs and wattles all bright and plump?  When you feel their chests are their 'keel bones' all covered in a nice layer of fat (but not too fat)? Are they all looking well, eating and drinking, and behaving as usual?

If all those things are ok I wouldn't worry at all.  One of your girls may be taking a break, or they may be alternating, or is it possible one of them is hiding her eggs somewhere else?  Whatever the cause, if they look and feel healthy it should be fine.

[8doubles]

Perfectly normal to miss a day or a few days or a few weeks if they turn broody.

If you let them free range check under low bushes where eggs can be concealed.

[timtheenchanteruk]

cheers, Im going to have a good look under bushes, they do free roam the garden for alot of the day, they are all fine and in good health, so no worries there.

I'll just keep an eye on them.

[Jane-M]

In theory 12 of my birds are in lay, I get anything between 2 and 10 eggs per day, but usually only 5 - 6. I suspect I have some freeloaders in the flock!! any little thing seems to put them off, prima donnas the lot of them.

[timtheenchanteruk]

well I think i have my answer, one of my girls has gone a bit broody, spent most of the morning on the nest box, all fluffed up, not moving off as she usually does when I opened the box.
Moved her off a couple of times, and shes come outside this afternoon, so should be ok.

[bantam novice]

That could well explain the reduced laying .  Are you going to let her sit on fertile eggs?  She will put the others off laying if she gets too feisty and you will have to decide whether or not to take anti-broody measures.  If you decide to let her sit on fertile eggs you will have to decide what you are going to do with the cockerels.  Good luck and keep us posted