Chickens on Strike

[jtillery68]

We have two 'old timers' and three new ladies in our flock. But, they have been together now for over four months. The old timers were laying an egg a day until the new ladies joined. Now, we only get ONE egg every other day! I figured that by now, they would have settled in together and gotten back to business. When we bought the new ones, the farmer told us they were laying daily. I have YET to see one egg from them. In addition, when we let them out to free range, all 5 run into the barn and huddle together under the tractor or hang out on the patio and poop! I think these are the dumbest chickens we have ever had. They don't go out and forage for crickets, worms and grass like EVERY other flock we've had. They are healthy and are not molting currently. I am at a loss. I think I have chickens on strike! Any ideas?

 

[cherrynberry]

We have two 'old timers' and three new ladies in our flock. But, they have been together now for over four months. The old timers were laying an egg a day until the new ladies joined. Now, we only get ONE egg every other day! I figured that by now, they would have settled in together and gotten back to business. When we bought the new ones, the farmer told us they were laying daily. I have YET to see one egg from them. In addition, when we let them out to free range, all 5 run into the barn and huddle together under the tractor or hang out on the patio and poop! I think these are the dumbest chickens we have ever had. They don't go out and forage for crickets, worms and grass like EVERY other flock we've had. They are healthy and are not molting currently. I am at a loss. I think I have chickens on strike! Any ideas?

The number of daylight hours are going down, so thats normal.

 

[aart]

Time for some exams:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.