One egg wonder

[egglayer3]

I have 10 hens and after waiting 5 and a half months I finally got an egg!

The hen that laid it was an EE. She laid the egg four days ago and hasn't laid one since

. Is this normal for beginning layers or could it do with the removal of my rooster? The rooster was in there the day she laid but I took him out the next day because he always chases me in the coop. I haven't gotten rid of him yet so he is in a fenced in area right next to the coop. I've also noticed that he has become less aggressive towards me. Will he stay this way if I put him back in or will he start becoming more aggressive again?

 

[Judy]

It's probably normal. They are a bit erratic when they first start laying. It seems to take about a month for them to get in the swing of things. But yes, it's possible the rooster's removal affected her. It's also possible he calmed down when you removed him because he doesn't feel the need to protect his flock from "bad guys," namely you.

Really, being aggressive toward you doesn't mean he is a bad rooster for the flock. You could try walking toward him or pickng him up and carrying him around like a football to discourage the aggression. Or just yell and wave your arms and act threatening. If he ever gets the idea that you are higher in the pecking order than he is, he may just leave you alone.