Added new hen, now the others aren't laying

[joskt0204]

My two hens, who will be a year old next month, have been laying most every day all winter. We added a third hen about a week ago, and since the day after adding her, nobody has laid an egg. Is it an adjustment to the new hen, or did the (evil) new hen teach them to lay outside the coop?

 

[lillylsj]

they probably are upset about the new hen

 

[kdem]

I just added a 10 week old pullet to my flock of 4 layers and I had a lull for a few days. They will resume laying as soon as they don't care about the new guy so much.

(I registered just so I could answer your question.)

 

[joskt0204]

Thanks! I sure hope that is it. I miss my eggs every day.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Chickens hate change. Every time you disrupt their normal routine, they will quit laying. It usually only lasts a week or so. (unless the stress puts them into a molt)