they stopped laying why?...

[charliesgirl]

about 4 weeks ago we put our "babies" (they are full feathered) into their outside coop and they were happy as can be. we got "ruby" (RIR pullet, 1 year old) about 2 1/2 weeks ago and put her into the coop along with the babies. they got along fine, except for the first couple of days when they were determining who was more dominant. the first week we got an egg a day from ruby, but then quit. last weekend we got "big bertha" who was also laying... for the last week and a half we have yet to get an egg from either of the girls.
both of the girls were free ranged and not fed a steady diet what so ever. i am feeding them unmedicated chick starter along with all of the babies. they always have water and food, and have the heat lamp plugged in at night just in case it get a little cool at nights, it is MN, anything can happen...
both ruby and bertha and the babies all get along well, ruby is in charge, then bertha and the babies at the bottom of the totem poll. and everyone is happy, i just cant figure out why we aren't getting any eggs.
please help

 

[charliesgirl]

bump it

 

[The Zoo]

I'm a newbie to chickens but I was under the impression that laying hens definitely needed a laying hen diet. Maybe they're not getting enough nutrients or calcium?

 

[Mourningdove]

sometimes changes in their environment, ownership, adding or taking away birds can somehow effect them in my experience anyway.

 

[ibpboo]

its true, sometimes changes can affect egg laying, just give it time, they will settle down and start laying again. Just a little stress can upset the egg process sometimes.

 

[SilverStar]

I agree with mourningdove! We got an 8 month old white leghorn from a ranch a while back (Her name is "Ruby" also

) and she did not lay any eggs for us for about 2 weeks. Changes to their environment and new company can stress them a little causing low or no egg production for a while. I am no expert but That's just what i have experienced. Also, Give them laying pellets or lay crumble. That should help. If they have done some laying before, they will do it again. They just need a little time to get comfortable again. Don't worry! Best of luck!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree with the others. They most likely stopped laying because of the change and once they become comfortable in their new home will start laying again. I'll include this link about why chickens stop laying in case you want to check something out, but I think it just requires patience.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/34.html