When chickens are moved to a new home...

[Dynahoe Dave]

Does the car ride and new home and all disturb them? Effect their egg laying?

We only moved them Sunday, so it's not been long, I'm just curious. One layed an egg, but it was broken, and apparently eaten.

The chickens are about a year old.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

it could for awhile. If it is not too hot maybe keep them in the coop a few days with plenty of food water and ventilation. or if you have a small run you can attach. That may help them settle quicker.

 

[Dynahoe Dave]

Yes, they have a small fenced run. It will be expanded, as time permits, free range when we can keep an eye on them. Coop is in a shady location, so not too hot. They have layer feed, water, oyster shells available at all times.

 

[nothingbutabird]

We're having the same issue with our new flock. We have 3 new 4-6-month old hens: a Wyandotte, an Australorp, and an Ameraucana. They seem a bit stressed out from the move, but I'm hoping in a couple of days they feel comfy in their new surroundings and start laying again!

 

[nothingbutabird]

Wow, that was fast! Farrah, our Ameraucana, laid an egg in the middle of the run today. I'm glad she's laying, though I guess she hasn't found the nesting boxes yet...

 

[ailurophile23]

I moved my flock of light brahmas in March - unfortunately we had to do it in the middle of the day which meant having to catch the girls and put them in a large dog crate. As if that wasn't stressful enough, they were then packed onto the bed of the pick-up and surrounded by boxes and furniture. They were safely secured and covered as it was chilly. Obviously not the ideal situation at all - and yet, they seemed to adapt within a few days. They readily found their new nesting boxes and their laying did not slow down at all. We did keep them confined to their new coop for about a week before letting them into the run and then, ultimately, out to free range.

 

[Dynahoe Dave]

They had the run yesterday and today, I let them come out for a while right before dusk this evening, so they explored for about 45 minutes, and went to the coop.

 

[n8ivetxn]

I've had some hens that took a break from laying after I brought them home and then others just keep kicking them out!