Hens stop laying once new Roo was introduced

[tlshafer22]

This spring we got four new chicks. One was a rooster (so much for sex linked birds) - anyway we decided to give him a try before putting in our freezer. Our flock is ten hens and the rooster. We used to get three to four eggs per day before the three new girls were mature. Now that all ten hens should be laying we are only getting two eggs each day and I suspect they are from the new hens not our older girls.

Could the rooster be stressing everyone out? He has been in the coop with all the girls since June, but he is trying to be dominant and take charge the older ladies fight him letting him know who is boss. I don't know but if my girls don't start laying soon, he may end up in a soup.

Any suggestions would be great.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old are your older ones, if they are over a year they will stop to molt, is the rooster harassing them or caring for them. Two different things.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

So you've got:
10 adult hens...... that are how old?
3 pullets that are maybe 5-6 months old?
1 cockerel that is also 3-4 months old?

How long have they been living together?
Are your pullets laying yet?
Do you free range?

Need more info but.....
Yes, 4 month old cockerels are raging tornadoes of hormones and can disrupt laying.
The older girls will not submit to him for awhile.
The pullets may have submitted to him but probably weren't happy about it at first.