How long will a hens laying be affected by a move?

[helptostartbackyardcoop]

I have just started my backyard coop with two 10month old black australorps. I was told they came from the same batch of 25 chicks. And when I picked them up from their farm in Sandy they lived with about 50 other hens as well has alot of turkeys and geese. However, one is larger than the other. The larger one also picks on the smaller one. ie; pecks at her, causing her to sequel. You can see the fear the smaller one has, she will avoid or run and duck/scurry by the larger one. We have had them for about four days and have only had one egg. The egg was elongated with a thicker line running around the center of the shell. It was also a double yolk. Are they stressed from the move? As far as I have read for their age they should be laying almost an egg a day 24-36hours), each.

Any advise would be helpful. Thank you

 

[debilorrah]

It depends on the nature of the hen, but when we moved it took about a week. However we had no new additions to the flock either. When we first started, we rescued 6 hens and 1 roo, full grown and it took 10 days for the first egg, and then it was only and egg or two a day for about 3 weeks.

I hope that helps!

 

[helptostartbackyardcoop]

Okay, so it sounds like patience it what I need to practice in regards to their move.

However, I'm still curious about the mean behavior of the larger one, the size difference between the two, and the smaller one being scared out of her mind. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[SussexInSeattle]

I raised 2 black Australorps from same size chicks and one grew huge and kind of ugly at 10 months and the other petite and absolutely beautiful. They had issues getting along as well until the smaller one got fed up one day and popped the big one on her head about 3 good times in a row. The big one quit bullying her after that.

Unfortunately, the small one, having found her new strength, went around the whole flock trying out her new 'magic'. Including bullying the younger chicks. I finally sold both to different homes because the older one took to squawking all the time and the smaller became the yard bully

 

[helptostartbackyardcoop]

Well that sure doesn't sound very hopeful...I was thinking if the bullying kept up that I would contact the previous owner and see if she would take the aggressive one back in trade for another. But then I wounder if I will have the same issue but in reverse, like you did.

My current plan is to wait a week and see if they sort out their differences. I hate seeing the little one be so fearful.