Can bossy hens prevent newbies from laying?

[pfost262]

So I have five or so 2 year old red stars who are nasty SOB's when it comes to my newer hens. I have 23 new hens who are now 22 weeks old. I have found 3 small eggs around the coop and run so I know they are about to lay but at 22 weeks shouldn't they all be gearing up to go? I'm just curious that the nasty red stars are preventing them from the quiet time of laying. Is it time for the red stars to be dinner?

 

[lazy gardener]

What are the dimensions of your coop? How many nest boxes? Flock aggression can keep the stress level up. While it won't prevent a pullet from coming into lay, it can have a dramatic impact on your overall production. If you don't need those 2 y.o. R.S. birds, I'd eliminate them from the flock. You may find an immediate reduction in stress level. Happy chickens are good layers.

 

[pfost262]

The coop is about 6 foot by 8 foot, with 6 laying boxes, although all the adults lay on the floor as much as I've tried to prevent that. I've just kept those adults so that we have somewhat of a continuous stream of eggs (since I sell them on the regular) I was waiting for the new ones to lay to eliminate them.

 

[Sara Ranch]

I have two "bossy" girls (they are more than a year older than the rest of the flock). Being the oldest, they decided they were boss, even though they were the newbies.

For a while, they prevented the younger chicks from access to the two water bottles IF they were wanting water. Their boyfriend would prevent all of the other chicks from coming into the coop (where the water is) if his girls were in there for any reason, including laying eggs.

I nipped that in the bud. Put up curtains (aka rags) on the nesting boxes. Encouraged the rooster to leave. Had to block his access until he learned that laying an egg is a private business. If a bossy hen tried to prevent access to water, she was physically removed from the coop. I would spend time in the coop and in the area daily and socialize with all the animals.

There may be some bossy behavior still, but it's not nearly what it was.

So yes, bossy behavior can affect the others.

Can you spend more time with the flock?

Can you divide the coop into two spaces, with separate entrances, with separate nesting boxes, and separate runs?