Why are the Girls holding out?

[NottinghamChicks]

I have one new momma in the coop with 5 babies. They are a week old today and wonder if it is common for egg production for the other girls to slow way down when a hen is rearing her chicks. This is my egg layers coop and that is why I have them. I have only been getting one egg per day from the four other hens and I know for sure it is a different hen each day. The slow down started 3 days ago. They always lay in the afternoon and when they do free range all day they always went back to the coop to lay. The only thing that is different is the babies. I'm miffed

 

[NottinghamChicks]

Anyone?

 

[aggie9296]

I think broodiness/brooding is contagious. And maybe the hen is scaring them away from the nest box. I had a broody hen and for a few days, only 1-2 others layed. Did find another nest where they started laying outside. Be sure and check everywhere. Found mine under a soft sided rain barrel that is out of service.

Now I'm trying to break a broody hen and get the others to start laying again in the nest box.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

My momma is a great litlle girl who is actually in a broody cage within the coop. She doesn't even want to come out but one of them will go in and harrass her if I leave her door open when I am out there tending them. I just don't get it

Also when they are out free ranging they are always together, never do I notice that one went off to lay somewhere. I keep a close eye on all of them.

 

[aggie9296]

They are pretty sneaky. Hopefully just a phase.