Egg production down 60%

[NurseChicken79]

I recently added a new hen to my flock. Prior to her addition I was getting 2-3 eggs per day from my 3 hens. Since I've added the new girl, the other 3 have dropped production to 1 egg per day between the 3 of them. The new girl is a daily layer (her eggs are blue, so thats how I can tell). Is this normal?

 

[SilverBirds]

Chickens will stop laying when there is stress or change. Introducing another hen is most likely what caused the drop in eggs. It'll take some time for them to adjust but you should start seeing eggs again in a few weeks.

 

[-Isla June-]

Hey! This drop could easily be due to stress. I will do some more research and write another message shortly!

 

[-Isla June-]

Sometimes to help with stress I recommend adding some scratch to the coop, or a flock block from Tractor Supply. It will give them something fun to do and bring the new chickens together. This will help them warm up to each other and hopefully start laying eggs again!

 

[NurseChicken79]

Chickens will stop laying when there is stress or change. Introducing another hen is most likely what caused the drop in eggs. It'll take some time for them to adjust but you should start seeing eggs again in a few weeks.

Thank you! I've been catching up in other threads, so I'll be on the lookout for another nest too