Chickens Not Laying Following Massacre

[PJCluck]

I had 30 hens. SOMEHOW a 'coon got into the pen through a very small breach in the 2x4 welded wire (made in China, no doubt, but that's another forum). I know the spot, because we found feathers stuck to the wire there where one hen was pulled through. Of the 30 hens, 17 were murdered. The remaining 13 were probably in the coop when it all went down. I was not getting a full production beforehand, but now, from the 13 survivors, I am getting MAYBE one egg a day. It's been about three weeks now. Are these hens ruined? Will they start laying again? Any ideas on how soon?

 

[Kevin565]

How long ago was the massacre?

 

[PJCluck]

"It's been about three weeks now."

 

[Kevin565]

Are you sure the coon hasn't tried to come back? They could still be stressed out. Any possibility they are molting?

 

[PJCluck]

Could be molting. What are the signs? Lots of feathers around still, but I'm thinking they're from the massacre. Your comment about the coon coming back makes me think I should go out and set all my traps again. I did set them the first few nights, with carcasses - one got tripped, even, but no catch. (I've caught one coon in the past year.) I took the traps down after the carcasses began to be too noticeable to anyone in the area. Yes - I will go reset now with canned tuna. But any ideas on how long the hens might go without laying, after such trauma?

 

[Kevin565]

I think molting in chickens vary from waterfowl molts so I can't help you on the signs. I would defiantly try to set the traps just as a precaution. If something is bothering them hopefully it will be eliminated. My ducks stopped laying for around a month once when they got stressed out from being moved into a new pen. Hopefully your hens will be back to laying soon.