Holding out!

[CRCL]

I put my 5 week pullets in pen ( separate enclosure within pen) and within 5 days my 2 big hens stopped laying eggs. Martha and Mary are avid layers. Martha is a Rhode Island Red and Mary a New Hampshire Red. Should I be concerned?

 

[chickenlittle21]

No. They are probably just adjusting to the newcomers

 

[aart]

Could just be stress from the change.
Does the chicks pen taking up a lot of space in the coop?
Do they free range?
They may be laying out in range area.

 

[CRCL]

The hens are laying again. It's so hot here that Martha just stands in one of her water pans. Hilarious to watch. She won't even move when I add more water to it.

 

[aart]

She won't even move when I add more water to it.

Will she move for treats?
Beware of heat stress/stroke, it can kill them.

It's so hot here

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

Deep all day shade is best but....I don't have much of that.
This has worked very well to keep heat stress/stroke at bay:

I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[CRCL]

The electrolytes are sage advice- Thank you. I am in Fort Worth, Texas.The blocks of ice I use are frozen 1 gallon empty milk containers. I put 4 in pens for the pullets and frozen water bottles in all the water sites. I hooe this will help. I also mist the birds with water.