Roosters changing pecking order...does it stress the hens?

[CKC Coop]

Just in the last few days our two roosters have seemed to switch roles. We started out with 20 hens and a New Hampshire rooster. At 5 months we added an Easter Egg rooster to our flock...same age as our others. Our New Hampshire terrorized him and we separated them for a week. Even then, our New Hampshire didn't let him near the flock. After a few weeks things calmed down and all was peaceable for a couple months. Now in the last week or so, the Easter egg rooster has the New Hampshire running for his life and he won't let him get near the hens. Strangely enough, our egg production the last couple f days has dropped considerably. Is this a coincidence or could our hens be in stress over this rooster situation. We normally get 17 eggs a day, and the last two days we were at 15 and 12. We haven't had under 16 since before all our hens were even laying. Thinking of getting rid of the newer rooster so things will be back to normal unless there is hope things will improve. Help!

 

[centrarchid]

If rooster attacks hens then stressor that can be a problem if directed at particular individuals. Roosters scrapping among themselves not a problem unless flock overly confined.

 

[CKC Coop]

I've never seen him attack the hens, but he does run after them if they stray off to try to chase them back to the group and they don't all squat for him either. They never did before either though.

 

[centrarchid]

Pull him out for a while so he completes maturation. Re-introduce him if it fits your needs. The chasing and running indicative of flocks not merged, Your EE is currently a flock into himself and able to maintain it since he whipped the leader of the other flock. At some point flocks will combine if not bothered.

 

[donrae]

I've only had a similar situation once, but it was a cockerel that had grown up in the flock who de-throned the leader. It was a pretty bloodless coup, though, and the hens didn't seem to miss a beat.