Rooster gone after two years; hens declining in egg laying suddenly. Why??

[fairfeatherfriend]

We currently have a flock of 9 hens, and we've had a beautiful auracana roo for two years. Just recently, (due to neighborhood discontent with his vocalization, among other antics), he found another home on a farm hours away. With the warmer weather and increased daylight, we were getting 4-6 eggs daily. Since he's been gone (two weeks now, the production has gone down to 0-2. Is this an indication that the hens are upset? And will they adapt? Or am I making up reasons that don't really exist? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Wolfstorm82]

The ceramic eggs work wonders.

 

[mustang56]

Yes they are probably stressed and missing him...
I would give them a little more human attention...and some of their favorite treats,
if you can't bring him home...
Might also be it's hot...?
Maybe just taking a break from laying eggs.... =)

 

[fairfeatherfriend]

I'll try the eggs (I've had one wooden one in there, but it's pretty yucky-looking now!) Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Talithahorse]

I use golf balls and the girls don't seem to notice the difference.

 

[fairfeatherfriend]

No, can't bring him home
Good idea to give them a bit more TLC. We'll follow-up. Weather here in the northwest has not been too hot. I'm hoping time will work... Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

When they lose a rooster for whatever reason, they seem to go through a mourning period. My Orpington flock lost their rooster in 2012. He was 5 yrs 8 months, the only one they ever knew, and when he died, some just quit laying and never laid again. I still have one remaining hen of his who is now over 8 years old and she did not lay after he left. She did crow just like a rooster for a couple of days, but never after that. They do become attached, Ive seen, time after time, when one of my roosters passes away.