Hens not laying after hawk attack

[KristiM]

I don't normally free-range my flock, but with our warmer weather, I figured I could let them into our fenced garden to eat all the winter weeds. I tried to spend time out there with them as much as I could. On Sunday, we were inviting a couple friends over for a social distance backyard BBQ. Went inside for about 10 minutes, come out and see a hawk killing one hen. When we come out, it flies off. The rest of the birds are in the coop raising hell, and one is huddled in a corner of the garden, frozen stiff. I get her back to the others, and check the bird the hawk attacked- it was dead.

I know it's only Thursday, but since then my one rooster and five remaining hens have laid two eggs (that I've seen), and have eaten/destroyed one of them. They've been productive all winter (Virginia), and up until this Sunday I was getting 3-5 eggs every day. They haven't shown an impulse to eat or destroy their eggs before.

Is their drop in production linked to the attack? They're all eating and drinking normally, although displaying a stronger desire to free range (waiting at the door when I check on them, wanting out). Rooster's behavior is pretty much the same as it was before.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I don't normally free-range my flock, but with our warmer weather, I figured I could let them into our fenced garden to eat all the winter weeds. I tried to spend time out there with them as much as I could. On Sunday, we were inviting a couple friends over for a social distance backyard BBQ. Went inside for about 10 minutes, come out and see a hawk killing one hen. When we come out, it flies off. The rest of the birds are in the coop raising hell, and one is huddled in a corner of the garden, frozen stiff. I get her back to the others, and check the bird the hawk attacked- it was dead.

I know it's only Thursday, but since then my one rooster and five remaining hens have laid two eggs (that I've seen), and have eaten/destroyed one of them. They've been productive all winter (Virginia), and up until this Sunday I was getting 3-5 eggs every day. They haven't shown an impulse to eat or destroy their eggs before.

Is their drop in production linked to the attack? They're all eating and drinking normally, although displaying a stronger desire to free range (waiting at the door when I check on them, wanting out). Rooster's behavior is pretty much the same as it was before.

They may be in shock. Give them a few more days, if they still aren’t laying, try posting again.

 

[KingD]

A serverely stressful situation can seriously affect their laying. It should build back up again soon

 

[KristiM]

Thank you. That's what I thought, but my spouse wasn't convinced.

 

[Vacman]

I had a hawk make off with one of my Rhode Island Red hens and one of the Buff Orpington hens fought with the hawk and was injured. She recovered, but it took some time for the rest of the flock to lay again. Traumatic for them. I'm not sure she's back to normal again yet.

 

[adstowe]

Perfectly normal. Traumatic events and even simple changes in their surroundings can stress them out and impact their laying. Give it some time. They'll adjust.