I need to whine

[debilorrah]

As most of you know, we bought our 6 hens and 1 roo 2 weeks ago. Then we bought 6 chicks 1 week ago. Chicks went in the hen house seperated of course, hens didn't like, chicks went in the house. Now we only have had 2 eggs!! I know that two hens were laying every other day, because before we had 6 eggs in 1 week. What is going on?

 

[d.k]

* When hens are moved, they will lay the eggs that they have "all ready in the chute" and then quit for a bit while they get over the moving stress and get accustomed to their new surroundings. Now's a good time to get them used to you and for you to find out about them, personality-wise. . .At least, from what I have read from other new adoptees.

 

[debilorrah]

Last night was the first night I went in the hen house and they didn't all run from me, so I guess I am making progress. And when I go in the coop, they now expect treats instead of going inside. I was really hoping for more eggs by now!

 

[newbiechicken]

Can I whine with you? Our hens have been here for over two weeks. I'm so bummed. We've gotten about 8 eggs over the two weeks. The coop I built for them is in a former dog kennel, ala Mother Earth News, with two nesting boxes and a roost. I'm convinced it's the coop so we're building a nicer one this weekend. We don't let them out to range, most of the time, until after 4:00p.m. when we get home from school/work. I was just sure I was going to have about 15-20 eggs a week from my four hens...

Okay, I'm sure we'll BOTH have eggs soon, right?

 

[debilorrah]

You can whine all you want to. Our coop is HUGE - with a hen house, ramps, doors, fans, 6 nesting boxes, a huge roost, a big bale of hay, tons of treats, lots of dust bathing holes, etc. WHY CAN'T I HAVE EGGS??

 

[kayri]

Wow, your coop sounds really nice. They can't hold those eggs inside forever you know. I'm sure they will pop out soon...

 

[MissPrissy]

Moving is a huge stress on them. It can cause them to stop laying for a while. Give them time to settle in and you'll start back with eggs hopefully within the month.

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

This seems like an ongoing problem latey in the past week egg production dropping off..
serval factors play into role this time of year for this.. the change in weather.. change of seasons.. light condtions less light less eggs.. so your not alone alot are haveing this issue.. just hold in there and they will get back to the way they where..

 

[debilorrah]

There was 1 egg tonight. PROGRESS!

 

[d.k]

* Did somebody say they were expecting 15-2O eggs a week from *4* hens????? Do some people have just 4 hens that are really putting out quite that many eggs a week?? That seems just a bit high, doesn't it?

(scratches head) Chook does 1 egg every other day and once in a great while, one early a.m. and one late afternoon.. I thought her egg-laying was the most normal part about her-- now I'm wondering if she holding out on me.