How does relocating hens effect egg laying?

[DaddyChicken]

Today I got two 22 wk old Barred Rock hens, one laying, one not. How might the relocation effect egg laying?

Thanks!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Chickens hate change, so when you disrupt their normal housing, routine, etc - it can cause them to quit laying for a period of time. How long the break depends from chicken to chicken.

 

[DaddyChicken]

I was pretty sure things would be disrupted. I hope it doesn't last too long, I'm looking farward to some fresh eggs.

 

[ChicKat]

I agree with Happy Chooks,

It will be so interesting to hear what others post. Barred Rocks have a reputation of being friendly mellow birds. Were the 22-week olds already laying?

Since your birds are new, you are putting them in quarantine right? That should help resolve any pecking order issues of the moment.

I think lots of visible/available food and nice fresh water helps--- once they know their new home will be great/safe/abundant, they will decide to lay again, unless they were traumatized in the move.

My Golden Comet had probably already laid the day I got her, may have laid her egg free ranging the second day I had her, and by the third day was producing an egg daily---so she missed 1 to 2-days at most. My barred rocks only started at about 24 weeks, I got them at 20 weeks.

Looking forward to what others will say about the timing they experienced.

Don't forget to post back when they do begin to lay eggs in their new home.

 

[Mattemma]

Every day I carry my chickens about 400 feet to the back of my yard to a fenced off area.Started doing this after serious fly/poo issues during the summer. I have a lean-to set up for them with nest boxes and food.They still have a nest box in the chicken shed for those who lay early am.

Took a while for them to start laying in the back yard.Even now though(maybe 2 months into the daily moving),and my egg production is way down. Last few days I don't even get anything from my RSL hens.Could be the weather change.

Hopefully things will pick up for you soon!

 

[ChicKat]

Quote:
Hi Mattemma---

I'm wondering if the length of daylight is also affecting your chickens. Somewhere, I think I read that 14 hours of daylight is a minimum for high egg production. Down here we are at about 12 hours and 15 minutes between sunrise and sunset....and I'm expecting a winter drop off in laying. I can remember some pretty early winter-time sunsets when I lived in Ohio.

BTW--- your pictures are lovely ones.

 

[DaddyChicken]

The new chickens are not in quarantine but I do have food and water in the coop for them. Food and water is in the coop because they will not come out. they have been sitting on the roost looking out the window all day. Luckily it is cool today. I had planned to restrict all of the chickens to the pen today to get acquainted but the five RIR's were standing at the gate this morning wanting to get in the back yard so I let them in. I guess, like has been said, they will just have to get used to their new home. Maybe they will come out tomorrow.

 

[DaddyChicken]

Well, they came out of the coop on their own

at 5:00 and have made themselves at home since. Now we'll see if they go in the coop tonight.

 

[DaddyChicken]

The two Barred Rocks were the first to go into the coop tonight. The RIR's seemed hesitant about going in, but after each one stuck their head in the door to look around, they finally went in for the night.

This is fun stuff and my eight year old son enjoys it.