'Rehomed' hens, encouraging them to lay

[SVTechChick]

Hi folks -

I received two older hens, one a buff Orpington age 10, and a Americauna, about age 5. The Orpington has laid once in the last two months since we got her (which is about right) but we haven't been able to coerce any eggs out of the Americauna, who had been laying 2-3 eggs a week before the move. Our original three girls are somewhat 'hen-ish' toward them, but no major fighting, just the occasional peck. They all have plenty of space to lay and separate access (we have a two-tiered condo, the new girls moved in below). They get plenty of good food, scraps, meal worms, water, scratch and grit.

Ideas? Or is this just a wait and see? She's healthy and happy, no health issues that I can see. The others have started laying more as the weather is getting warmer, but laid consistently over the winter (just less).

Thanks!

Jan

 

[redsoxs]

Hi, Jan...I don't know the answer to your question but you might repost it in the link below. I just don't think it will get a lot of views or responses in the forum where you posted it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying

 

[Hillaire]

10 years? 5 year? first thing that comes to mind is this "Chickens usually don't simply "stop" laying eggs when they get to a certain age, but they will lay fewer as they get older. That said, most laying breeds will lay more or less productively in backyard terms for five or seven years" Also the stress of the move could have caused the lack of production

 

[SVTechChick]

Hi, Jan...I don't know the answer to your question but you might repost it in the link below.  I just don't think it will get a lot of views or responses in the forum where you posted it.  
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying

Fair enough!

 

[SVTechChick]

Our slacker hen started laying after three months since her rehoming with us. And now, laying every day, beautiful blue eggs. Not sure if it was de-licing her and the rest of the girls, the probiotic I started putting in their water, the fact that it is definitely Spring now, or just her getting tired of being ornery, but she's back on it!