Rooster to get hens to lay

[Onyxflock]

Is it true that bringing a rooster in to a flock that has stopped laying will cause the hens to have the urge to lay?
My hens are are 5 + 4 yo. Last fall they molted, got mite treatments, feathers are all back but nobody has laid since October.
Would introducing a rooster spur their urge to lay eggs?
That doesn't seem that old for them to stop laying & all at once.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I can't answer your question regarding the rooster, BUT it is very normal for hens 2 years and older to stop laying from October through February. A mite infestation or other stressors will slow down their laying even more. If they are healthy they should start back up soon as the daylight hours continue to lengthen.

 

[theoldchick]

No, adding a rooster to your flock will not cause the hens to start laying. If you hens are healthy and on a good diet, they will start laying when the days get longer. However, certain breeds are just not super layers and will not lay as well when they get older.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is it true that bringing a rooster in to a flock that has stopped laying will cause the hens to have the urge to lay?

No.

My hens are are 5 + 4 yo. Last fall they molted, got mite treatments, feathers are all back but nobody has laid since October.
Would introducing a rooster spur their urge to lay eggs?
That doesn't seem that old for them to stop laying & all at once.

The older they get the less they lay. Some may totally stop but many just lay less often. I don't know how many hens you have but you should be getting a few before too long.

What has the most control is days getting longer or shorter. Unless you manage the lights, when the days get shorter in the fall they stop laying and molt. Some start laying when the molt is over regardless of day length but some wait until the days get longer.

You are north of the equator so your days are getting longer. You should start seeing eggs before too long but don't expect to see a lot with the age of your hens. This is why many of us rotate new pullets into the flock, to keep egg production up.

 

[Mrs. K]

4-5 year old hens are old hens. And there is a difference in laying, and laying consistently and regularly. Young bird tend to lay several times a week - maybe 5 -6 days out of 7. Older birds tend to lay 2-3 days out of 7 and some less that that. Technically both sets are laying, but a lot of difference in the amount of eggs. Each year, the total number of eggs decreases.

 

[Onyxflock]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm down to 4, 2 Brahmas, of which 1 is pretty lame, our pretty Wyandotte and Rosie my RIR/Leghorn cross. She's been a great layer. I'll hope for a few eggs from the Old Girls possibly this year.
I've got the run prepared for newbies. As soon as they come in @ our local feed store. I'm hoping the bird flu doesn't affect their availability.
Thanks Again!