dark early effect egg laying??

[kocho]

Our hens used to lay 5-6 eggs a day and are now only laying 2-3 daily. Is it getting dark early doing this? Or are the looting already? We got them as chicks in March. They started laying in August. I think they need more time out in the run, but my hubby likes them in the coop when we are all at work and school. They did break out today, so I can see his point.

 

[mrchicks]

They will lay less with the shorter days. My 7 gals that normally give me at least 5 eggs a day are down to 2-4 a day.

 

[kocho]

That's what I was afraid of. Will the time change next week help at all?

 

[RonP]

They will need 12 to 14 hours of daylight for continued laying. There is a lot of info on this site for adding lights.

 

[kocho]

Thanks. Not sure how my hubby will feel about running electric out to the coop.