Egg Strike After New Run?

[ChickInn829]

Hello!

We have 15 chickens and now that the weather was starting to get warmer were getting about 4 to 5 eggs a day (some hens are older and some just starting to lay). Our hens were free range, but after a bobcat stole and ate 5 of them within two weeks, we built them a fenced-in run. The run is about 30' x 30'. After we built the run, the hens seemed to stop laying completely! We've been getting one a day for about two weeks. Could this be because they are unhappy with the run? Will hens go on an egg laying strike?

I appreciate your advice, we're only about 7 months young into raising chickens so this is all new to us.

Parris

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Your hens are not unhappy with their quarters, an egg strike is likely to get started when going from a coop to free range or vice-versa.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Any stress or change can put them off laying for a while. Having a bad predator attack is certainly stressful!
Fifteen birds and five eggs each day can become a time when there are no eggs for a day or three. That's how the numbers work out sometimes.
Having a safe coop and run is a very good idea!
Your bobcat, or some other predator, might be visiting at night and upsetting them too.
Mary

 

[Rob Tof]

I agree it’s the change. Stress will stop them. Give it time and lots of treats. Dust bath. Works great.

 

[Rob Tof]

I agree it’s the change. Stress will stop them. Give it time and lots of treats. Dust bath. Works great.

 

[Joeschooks]

The others have said it all. It’s pretty much to be expected if there’s any change to their living quarters or routine. Give them a couple of weeks and they will be paying rent again!

 

[ChickInn829]

So appreciate all of you! Thank you so much.