newbie here with questions

[kedwards31]

so we have five orpington 9 month old hens that I picked up from a chicken farm yesterday. we introduced them to their coop and run yesterday and locked them up in the coop last night. This is our plan going forward. So the farmer called them hens because they are already producing full 2oz eggs (he said). How long does it take for them to start laying again? I imagine we stressed them due to the catch, transport, and new home experience. This morning when I lifted the door to let them out, I did check the inside of the coop and the shavings in the nesting boxes were trampled so I know they were checking it out.

 

[Judy]

Have patience. Maybe only a few days, maybe a week or two -- hopefully. Unless they go into a molt!

 

[azygous]

Keep them cooped for another day or so. It's a good sign that the nest boxes are disturbed. It indicates eggs are going to be arriving very soon!

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

x2- New hens may take days or even a couple weeks before they start to lay again. They're just adjusting to their new home.

 

[kedwards31]

So of course after I posted my question and left to run errands this morning, my hubby calls to say we have four eggs!!! Awesome...that happened way faster than I thought. Of corse four eggs, five hens....maybe tomorrow we will have five.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

That's a good sign! They must like their new home.

 

[Blooie]

Remember that before you moved them, some eggs were already in the "assembly line" and those are the ones you got today. They may lay one or two then stop until they are comfortable again. Not saying it absolutely WILL happen, just wanted to let you know that it might so you weren't disappointed to see eggs, then nothing for a few more days, or even a couple of weeks.

 

[kedwards31]

Quote: Thanks for reply I was banking on them not laying for a few days but we have had average of 3 eggs a day since w brought them home.