After the move...

[Thousand Oaks Family]

So I bought 3 hens and a coop and moved them to my place. They were stressed out and didn't lay for a while. One started up again after 2 weeks and another started up after 3 weeks. The other one is in molt so nothing expected of her. They are on a every other day schedule right now. Do you think they will get back to a regular 26 hour cycle or could I expect the same pattern? Is there anything that might be keeping them more productive?

 

[crtrlovr]

It could still be stress from the move. Make sure they have a good diet and plenty of fresh water. I know the heat is stressing LOTS of animals all over the country right now, and my girls have dropped from around 2 doz. per day to about 7 or 8. (I'm doing what I can to keep them cool, but I am not going to do anything that might try to get them to lay more until they're ready -- I don't want to overstress them when they're dealing w/ this horrendous heat).

 

[High Roost Ranch]

What kind of hens are they? Some breeds are less frequent layers and this may be the norm for them. Also, older birds will lay less frequently.

 

[Thousand Oaks Family]

I don't think its the weather. Fortunately for us we don't have the bad heat. 81 degrees lately and loving it! They are only a year and a half. Can you help me with the breeds? I never did find out. I don't let them out until 7:30-8:00 but I have a light that comes on around 6:00. Would it help if I had the light on more?