Stress?

[chrispbrown27]

So, I cheated a bit and bought two hens that were already laying instead of waiting on my younger birds to lay. The two Buff Orpingtons have been here for just shy of a week now and they seem to have worked out their position in the flock. The lady I bought them from said they were between a year and a year and a half old and laying just fine. So far one has started to lay. She is a bit bigger than the one that hasn't produced yet. I have also noticed that the one who has produced is much more afraid of our ducks than the other. So my question is, is she still stressed about the new situation or could there be something else going on. I am pretty sure that I feed the birds a higher protein food than the previous owner fed them since she used them for laying only, but they don't seem to have a problem eating it. They get free choice oyster shell and various treats, such as clover and sunflower, throughout the day. They both free range with the new flock fine and other than the fact that the one that isn't producing yet runs away anytime the ducks get near both seem perfectly happy. They both go into the house throughout the day and sit in the nesting box, but only the one has popped out an egg so far. Any advice?
Chris

 

[realsis]

when I first bought my laying pullet and moved her to my home she did not lay for two months! now she lays every day to every other. you just have to wait until they are comfortable. and don't be surprised if the one who laid stops laying. sometimes they lay what's in the oviduct then stop in a new situation. its not anything you are doing wrong. its just they need to feel comfortable. I hope you don't have to wait as long as I did. my case was a bit extreme. I think because she had just begun to lay and the move threw her cycle off. I'm sure your birds will be laying like champs in no time when they are comfortable. there is not much you can do but wait. moving to a new home is stressful to them so they will be off for a bit. how long I can't say. that's up to them. but don't worry they should be just fine. its perfectly normal for them to be off for awhile after moving. you will see soon she will start laying for you. I hope this helps you out and eases your mind a bit to know its normal to cease laying after a move. depending on the bird and when they feel comfortable they will begin laying again soon. like I said I doubt you will have to wait as long as I did. my bird was very young and just came into lay when I purchased her so the move threw her off a bit longer than usual. don't worry soon you will have both birds laying like champs for you. I wish you the best of luck and God bless