Reduction in Flock

[llaaadyel]

Hi
Last year in May I purchased 18 chicks online, all different breeds. I received 1 free chick which of course ended up being a rooster. I also had 6 older chickens who were not laying as much anymore. This past week, I decided to reduce my flock down to 13 chickens and also rehomed the rooster. Before the 6 girls and 1 rooster were removed I was getting a normal amount of eggs a day for this time of year. I live in New York.

Since I gave up those chickens, I have not seen 1 egg in my coop. My question is this, Is it possible that they aren't laying because of removing other chickens? Im feeling very sad at an empty coop every day since Saturday.

Food is the same
They are in an enclosed run and are not being pestered by predators. The coop is closed at night and is very secure.
I don't notice any molting
The hens actually seem content and happy other than the fact that they are not laying any eggs.

Thank you

 

[sawilliams]

By removing a large percentage of the flock you greatly disrupted the pecking order and stressed them out. When they are stressed it can take up wards of 2-4 weeks to destress.

 

[bobbi-j]

Chickens don't adapt quickly to change. As sawilliams said, their flock was greatly disrupted. They'll get over it and start laying again.

 

[RWise]

Or, could they have hid a nest somewhere?