New hens, no longer laying?

[cnotche]

I am new to chicken raising and bought 2 RIR that were laying at the time of sale, hatched July '13. One even laid an egg mid transport! But since that one (that I don't count as my 'first egg'), nothing. It has been a week. The chickens seem to be getting used to me. They make cooing noises when I come to the coop and talk to them and feed them. They even seem to be getting used to my 2 year old who loves to come up to the coop and exuberantly greet them, as they don't shy away from him at all, or even walk away. I am keeping them in the coop until this weekend (I read to keep them locked in the coop for two weeks to imprint it as their new home), and I think they were used to big rural run/coop. I in the middle of the city, so my coop is little to fit my needs. I am feeding them layer feed with veggie scraps and have sprinkled oyster shell on the feed once (lightly). Should I just be more patient? They don't seem stressed. Maybe a little bored if I had to guess. The plan is to let them 'free range' in my backyard when we are home, which is about half the day. I just want to make sure there isn't more I could be doing.

 

[Judy]

Just being locked in a small coop for many days should be enough of a change to stress them into not laying. I would definitely let them out. They will still have to adjust to the rest of their surroundings. They may start in a few days or it may be another month before they feel at home and their stress level is down. Be sure your child does not chase them, a natural thing for a toddler to do, but terrifying to the chicken.

 

[cnotche]

Just being locked in a small coop for many days should be enough of a change to stress them into not laying. I would definitely let them out. They will still have to adjust to the rest of their surroundings. They may start in a few days or it may be another month before they feel at home and their stress level is down. Be sure your child does not chase them, a natural thing for a toddler to do, but terrifying to the chicken.

Oh, yes, I definitely don't want him to chase them (which I KNOW he will do), so we planned to keep him away from the backyard for a while. They do have a small run attached to their coop, but I am sure they would really like to stretch their wings. Thanks for your advice!

 

[LoveChickens123]

It might be from stress. from living at a new home

 

[FoxyPetrice]

I am new to chicken raising and bought 2 RIR that were laying at the time of sale, hatched July '13. One even laid an egg mid transport! But since that one (that I don't count as my 'first egg'), nothing. It has been a week. The chickens seem to be getting used to me. They make cooing noises when I come to the coop and talk to them and feed them. They even seem to be getting used to my 2 year old who loves to come up to the coop and exuberantly greet them, as they don't shy away from him at all, or even walk away. I am keeping them in the coop until this weekend (I read to keep them locked in the coop for two weeks to imprint it as their new home), and I think they were used to big rural run/coop. I in the middle of the city, so my coop is little to fit my needs. I am feeding them layer feed with veggie scraps and have sprinkled oyster shell on the feed once (lightly). Should I just be more patient? They don't seem stressed. Maybe a little bored if I had to guess. The plan is to let them 'free range' in my backyard when we are home, which is about half the day. I just want to make sure there isn't more I could be doing. 

Hi I too am having to go through this. I think the excitement of finally getting chickens has made me a little... impatient lol. I've let them free range all morning and already one of my little hens seemed more settled and sitting up in the coop. So fingers crossed tomorrow I have an egg... or two I think it's best to try and be patient as some chickens wait weeks if not a month to settle nicely into their new home and environment. Good luck x