Will introducing a rooster to an established flock of hens ever cause hens to stop laying?

[TerryBowleg]

Does it ever stress them out and they stop laying for a while?

 

[azygous]

Yes. It can.

Rooster mating stress is one of the most common causes of poor laying. Stress of any sort can affect not only laying, but the shell quality. If you see wrinkled shells and misshapen eggs, it's most likely from stress.

Roosters can be managed in ways to keep stress on hens at a minimum by creating separate quarters for hens and roosters and managing access to the hens. This is what I do, and the roosters seem none the worse for it.

 

[nuthatched]

Any changes can cause stress and put a pause on laying.

 

[Mrs. K]

But the pause should not last too long. How are they acting towards the rooster?