decreased laying.

[thomas_beavers]

I have 8 chickens in total right now, 5 of which are just over a year old, and 3 that are about 5 months old. The 5 older ones had been laying an egg a day each until I introduced the three new hens. now I'm lucky to get one from each every other day. Is this just due to the change or could there be something else?

 

[feathersnuggles]

Anything, I swear, can cause that oviduct to halt production, for a while. I guess it's natures way of ensuring the baby chicks (born from those eggs) would be in a safe environment. For us, their eggs are food. But for the hen's body, each egg is a chick waiting to hatch.

Give them some time. Once their stress subsides, they'll start again.

ETA: Welcome!