New chickens not laying eggs.

[Danny Ruff]

I recently purchased three hens from a local farmer. The hens are less then 2 years old. Before I purchased them they were laying eggs. I brought them home and placed in the coop. I have had them 3 days now and no eggs. What has caused them to stop laying, is it the stress of moving to a new home? How long before they start back up laying eggs?.

 

[Danny Ruff]

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Stress. Let them get settled in and comfortable. As soon as they feel a since of security you will be in biz-niz..

 

[barred2rock]

Chickens like to know their eggs will be safe. In a new environment they're unsettled & unsure. If you haven't, you may want to provide fake eggs (golf balls work too) in their nesting boxes, to show them where a good spot is.

 

[chickenlickin8]

I had the opposite happen.....I bought 3 new girls (6 months old) and they laid the first day but my existing flock ( 1 yr hens) stopped laying....go figure. It took a couple of weeks for everything to get back to normal. Every situation is different with chickens.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Hens that are "less then 2 years old" could very well have kicked into molt with the move especially. Nice looking hens.