Fowl Family Stress!

[Laura Galland]

Chicky Gurus, I need your help (again)! Over the last three weeks or so, our happy fowl family has encountered some stresses. First, the heat wave took 2 away. We resolved that issue, the the open air coop that Mama Sandy built and used f or years gave way to huge wind, so we had to rebuild. Naturally, our family is unaccustomed to their new habitat. Result - laying has dwindled and has been in odd places (like under the new hen house). A few appear to have started molting. Some of our hens have checked out and nested in the structure, but inconsistently. Interestingly, they are not the least bit cranky. I am wondering if I introduce a couple of new hens (particularly broody ones) to the new condo, if the rest of our family might be inclined to follow suit.
Laura

 

[aart]

I am wondering if I introduce a couple of new hens (particularly broody ones) to the new condo, if the rest of our family might be inclined to follow suit.

Integrating new birds would only increase the stress.
Give them time to recover from the changes.