New roo with my hens has changed their laying habits

[QChickieMama]

Today is the 4th day my hens have been with Mr. Roo. He's 4yo and kind so far. I have them in a chicken tractor. When I let them out late morning, there's only 1 egg instead of 5 in the nest. They have access to their tractor all day; I prop the door open for them. So, is it normal for them to stop laying for a few days when a roo comes to visit? I did look around the yard but didn't find any hiding eggs.

 

[centrarchid]

Possibilities many. Natural variation. Weather. Food related. Stress associated new rooster. Also possible the old guy is an egg eater.

 

[QChickieMama]

Possibilities many. Natural variation. Weather. Food related. Stress associated new rooster. Also possible the old guy is an egg eater.

Oooooh, an egg eater. I'll have to watch for that. That would probably make him soup.

I did get one egg that was sticky. Makes me wonder.

 

[centrarchid]

Oooooh, an egg eater. I'll have to watch for that. That would probably make him soup.

I did get one egg that was sticky. Makes me wonder.

In you situation, an egg eater may not be a major cause of alarm. If he is in fact eating eggs, there maybe a reason that stops shortly. He is eating something that would keep hens from raising his offspring. See if eggs start to collect again after a few more days. Your flock is small enough that more natural interactions may play themselves out like the would in natural harems.

 

[QChickieMama]

In you situation, an egg eater may not be a major cause of alarm. If he is in fact eating eggs, there maybe a reason that stops shortly. He is eating something that would keep hens from raising his offspring. See if eggs start to collect again after a few more days. Your flock is small enough that more natural interactions may play themselves out like the would in natural harems.

I'l try tol be patient. I want to start collecting eggs as soon as they're fertile. Hoping to get a good # together for incubating before the neighbor complains about the roo. I only have the roo with 5 hens right now. That's a good ratio, right? They all seem happy together.

 

[galanie]

Any sort of stress, like a new rooster, will disrupt the egg laying pattern for a bit. Just be patient. If he's truly the great guy you say, they'll settle back in a week or so with laying like before. If he's a jerk to them, they might not.