The effect of restructuring on egg laying

[1littlefarmer]

So about a month and a half ago I did some flock restructuring and my hens laying dropped from 6 or 7 eggs per day (7 layers at the time) to 0, 1, or 2 if I was lucky. 6 weeks later I'm only up to 2 or 3 per day with maybe a 4 egg day two or 3 times since the restructuring.

How did I restructure? Well, I moved the alpha roo to the freezer after he went after my 3 year old daughter and let the second roo in command take over AND I moved my 3 young pullets and 2 cockerels into a pen in the main section of the coop. They have separate pens and runs but are in full view of each other. In another 3 weeks I plan on introducing the young'uns to the others. I'm also planning on re-homing all of the roosters, young and old, either to another farm or the freezer. Once our second roo realized he was the main man he turned into a little Napoleon. He's been more aggressive toward me and my wife and daughter than the old one ever was. I haven't dispatched him yet as I was afraid of traumatizing the hens anymore and never getting eggs again... I sometimes wonder if they all just liked the old rooster better and aren't happy with this rooster as the alpha.

So I guess my questions are:
Will they ever lay regularly again? and should I wait to dispatch the alpha roo until after I move them all in together? I just wonder if he will help keep the peace among the girls or make it worse... and he's turned into a very aggressive roo and I don't like having him around.

Thanks for your thoughts!

ETA: They're all healthy and eating well. No bugs or worms or oozing of any sort. All the ladies look to be ridden a little to hard, though, if you know what I mean.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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Is he being a butt to the hens also? They very well might not like him and in protest are not laying.

I would process him and give the girls a short break before you introduce the younger ones - but that is just me

.

 

[dmdhart]

I recently sold one of my roosters who was too rough on the hens and mean to my other roosters. My hens are so much happier. They have started laying. more! I would get rid of him ASAP. What are you feeding your hens? Just curious, what kind of rooster is he?

 

[1littlefarmer]

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That's the direction I'm leaning, too.


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I'm feeding them mostly Layena, a little scratch, a few table scraps and as much free ranging as possible. He's an Easter Egger.


I suppose he could head toward the freezer this weekend, I think I'm a little worried we'll go back to zero eggs a day. Today I finally got 5 eggs. First time in weeks... Ah well, what they don't lay now they'll lay later, right?

 

[dmdhart]

I've always had good luck with Buff Orphington's or Buff crosses when it comes to temperment of roosters. I've never had a mean one.

 

[1littlefarmer]

Yeah, I've heard good things about BO roos and welsummer, too. I will probably try one of those next.

 

[Tamrajh]

My Buff is an absolute doll towards me. He's not loving or anything, but he's not aggressive at all. He is getting better and will eat out of my hand now (we bought him 2 months ago, full grown) but has NEVER made an aggressive move toward any of us. Not even toward the chicks when they were introduced at 8 weeks old. He checked them out then ignored them.
He's even gentle with the girls. No hair pulling (I know, they're feathers) or running around trying to get away from him. He really is a dear.