I had to move all of my RIR and BR hens into one pen this winter b/c of some roofing problems. The roof has been fixed, the coops have been improved and it's time to start hatching. So I want to move them. I just don't want to upset them, b/c they just started back laying last week. I know at least one upsets easily b/c I didn't get eggs for 2 days after we put the new roof on and she was the only one laying at the time. Dh says to go out while they are roosting and gently move them. Will that work? I need to get them all moved around, but I don't want them to stop laying. I need to move my BO's too and when we got them, we moved them from one side of town to the other and they quit laying for 3 weeks. Once I get them where I want them, I will let them be, but I need to get them separated and organized.
