Got rid of rooster, hens stopped laying

[alb777]

Hi there,
I have 4 hens (22 weeks old) that have been laying for about a month. We got rid of our roosters 2 days ago and haven't got any eggs yet today. Normally we would have 4 by nos.
Wondering if this is a coincidence?

Thanns

 

[cpsmith02]

They might not be laying because of fall coming in. During fall they will molt to get their new feathers for the year. If there are a lot of feathers in the coop, it means they are molting. During molting they will stop laying.

 

[barneveldrerman]

My friend had the same thing happen to him, but never had it happen to me. He got worried and got a rooster again. I think they just need time to process what happened and get used to their not being a rooster there


Hope this helped anger the question!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They probably think a predator got him, and they are a bit frightened without him, roosters make the hens feel secure and safe, now it's unsafe. They should get used to it after a bit and resume.

 

[aart]

At 22 weeks, they are not getting ready to molt.
They don't have enough thought process to think, 'cockerel gone, predator got him'...lol.
But the change in population can cause some stress, any change can cause some stress, and stress can suppress laying.

Just give it some time and see what happens....could be stress could have something to do with the increasing night length.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If you remove someone from my free ranging flock, they will stay in the shed or close to it, the same way as when a coyote snags one, they do understand someone is gone and they should be cautious and quiet.

 

[allpeepedout]

My hens appear confused and at a loss when I remove my rooster, which I do at times in winter to keep his combs warm. They have never been laying at the time, but I would think it could easily disrupt laying. Please let us know when (if?) they resume and what you think the cause was.