Serious decrease in egg production after new birds introduced

[simplychickens]

This is not an urgent issue, but just one that I am pondering and would like some feedback/suggestions.

We recently integrated 4 new hens into our flock of nine. Our 'older' hens are @ 18 months, while the 'newer' hens are between 6-8 months. We slipped the new hens into the coop at night and placed them on the roost with the other girls. So far, so good. The two groups are kind of avoiding each other, and there hasn't been anything more a few pecks to keep the new hens in their place. We are still keeping a close eye to make sure they are all getting access to food and water.

However (!) since the new hens arrived, our egg production has gone from about 6-7 eggs/day to 1-2 eggs/day ... and sometimes none!

Is this due to the stress of a change in environment? Should we be doing something differently or just wait it out?

Any advice/thoughts will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Traci

 

[chickenlady]

Stress will do that!! Give them 2-3 weeks.

 

[chickenzoo]

Did you quarantine the new birds first?

 

[dacdeihl]

Both above are great questions. I introducted 3 new birds to a large flock and I got mites and lice from them. But give them time.

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Quote:
That was my first thought as well.

Steve in NC