How Long for Laying Hens to start Laying in new home?

[KamiO]

Hi there,
We just bought 3 hens on Sunday evening and were told they lay an egg a day and started laying a few months ago. It is now Wednesday afternoon and they still have not laid an egg. I'm getting concerned. They are very friendly and seem to be very happy here. They free range during the day and the last 2 evenings have gone into their coop on their own at dusk. I let them out at around 7am each day. Can all of you experienced chicken farmers please tell me if this is normal? Approximately how long will it take for them to start laying again? I'm worried that they will get an egg stuck and die. I've been watching for the signs of this, but they are walking around fine and pecking at the grass and don't seem to be uncomfortable at all. I have not changed their food, except for I have given them meal worms everyday and tomatoes out of our garden, they love that. They have food and water available to them all day and night. They are the only 3 adult hens we have. They were in a smaller cage before with about 40 hens. They had never free ranged, and didn't have a coop/ laying box/ roost bar, they all piled on top of each other at night. So they are in a much different environment now.
-Kami O

 

[XxMingirlxX]

Don't worry it's completely normal! Changing surroundings can be very stressful for hens. Everyone is different but some hens take up to two weeks to feel comfortable enough to resume laying. I have had hens lay on the day I got them and others take weeks.

Apple Cider Vinegar in the water can help them relieve stress.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

If you're free ranging them, they may be laying out in the range area.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.

Are your coop nests easy for them to access, both getting into and out of nests?

 

[KamiO]

Ok great. Thank you! I'll try the apple cider vinegar in their water.

 

[KamiO]

I let them free range in a grassy side yard with a fence, and my 8 week old pullets free range all day in our main yard. So the older birds don't peck at our babies. I have been checking the grass everyday, and no eggs. The coop/nesting boxes are easy for them to access, and I see them go in/out of their coop throughout the day, and they have been sitting in the nesting boxes.