New chickens have stopped laying

[Jeffross1968]

Back on July 2nd or so, we purchased 5 new chickens, all right at 5 months. Two had started laying. Both laid for a couple days, but the stress of changing homes and being introduced to new birds stopped that. Only one has begun laying again (as of 3 days ago). The other hasn't laid again yet, and only 1 of the other 3 began laying. The stress they feel from being moved into a new home, with new birds can certainly cause egg laying to stop for an extended period of time...I've read people say months in some circumstances.

 

[poundridge-chicken]

Months, jeeze! Well, right now my goal is to make them feel comfortable. I feel bad they get picked on (even though it has slowed down considerably). Bertha may very well end up in the dog house for a few days. I think the added space to run around has gotta be helping too.

 

[poundridge-chicken]

::UPDATE::

Birtha was secluded for about 4 days and re-introduced to the flock. Seems the dynamics are a bit more balanced now. The 2 new ladies still stay together all of the time. Must be good friends. Birtha seems to be less 'aggressive' towards them though - so i think this helped.

Still no eggs though! Guess I just need to be patient. Feathers are still falling from one of the new chickens, so maybe this is playing a role too.

 

[poundridge-chicken]

::UPDATE::

Woke up this morning and found 3 eggs in the nesting box. So, one of the new chickens is finally laying again! Went back about an hour later and found a fourth! All 4 chickens are now laying and happy hens!

WOOHOO!

 

[hansolo]

Very cool you solved the problem!
We will have chicken integration task coming up soon and it will be interesting to see.