New coop, not laying

[careeka22]

Hi,

I have 3 hens that are a year old, we have had since chicks. Well we just bought them a nice big coop with so much more space and much warmer. Due to how our house is we had to put it on the opposite side of their other coop. We left them in it a few days but every time I let them free range they go back to the other side of the yard/old coop that is closed. How long does it take for them to adjust to the new coop? I had left them out the other day on accident and found them huddled up by the old coop getting rained on when the new one was open for them. We haven't moved the old one yet just due to time and rain.

Also they have stopped laying. Is this due to the change? How long until they lay again?

Pic of my girls and the new coop. Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Chickens hate change. You probably have several factors impacting egg production - the move to a new coop, shortening day length, and age of birds. They may just be at a break in their laying cycle and starting to molt. Bottom line is eventually they will lay once again.

 

[careeka22]

Thank you! I do believe they are molting too and was curious if something maybe chased them one day because there were feathers all around the yard. They seemed to slow down after that too. They laid one egg the first day of the new coop and nothing since so I'll just give it some time. Should I keep them locked up longer to get them used to it? We are planning on moving the old coop up to the same spot as the new one because in the spring we will be getting some new chicks.

 

[lcwmt]

Thank you! I do believe they are molting too and was curious if something maybe chased them one day because there were feathers all around the yard. They seemed to slow down after that too. They laid one egg the first day of the new coop and nothing since so I'll just give it some time. Should I keep them locked up longer to get them used to it? We are planning on moving the old coop up to the same spot as the new one because in the spring we will be getting some new chicks.

It took our girls 3 weeks to "move into" the new coop. For the first few days a couple of them were frantic if they couldn't get into their original nesting boxes. I gave them time, and did not lock them out of the old coop until at least two of them were using the new nesting boxes and most of them were going to roost in the new space of their own accord.
They do not like change!

 

[careeka22]

Would it help to move the old coop to the new location or is it about where it was and not the physical coop itself?

 

[junebuggena]

Would it help to move the old coop to the new location or is it about where it was and not the physical coop itself?

If they are molting, there isn't really anything you can do, other than ensure they are getting enough protein. Molting birds are spending all of their energy on growing in new feathers. There isn't anything left over for egg production. Once they finish molting, they might resume laying, or they may not lay again till the days begin to lengthen again. Keep in mind that eggs are, in fact, a seasonal product and this is the natural break period for hens.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Nice looking coop, I am guessing the ventilation must be on the other side?

Gary

 

[careeka22]

Thanks! Yes there is a vent along the back and the front 2 "windows" open up as well. It has been cold and rainy so we had it closed for the pic.