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Those of you that don't use artifical light

post #1 of 24
Thread Starter 

What is the longest winter break your girls have taken? I'm going on a little over a month now with no eggs sad

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

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www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

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post #2 of 24

I have some that haven't laid since October. they're not molting and it's 70 degrees outside today idunno I've heard that feeding them some crushed red pepper can help get them laying again. I think I'm going to give it a try

Wheaten/Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas, Blue Copper and Splash Marans, 1 EE, 1 white Silkie hen, 1 Dominique hen. 2 cats and 1 dog. Homesteader, organic gardener, and most importantly chicken fanatic!

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." -- Francis Bacon

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Wheaten/Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas, Blue Copper and Splash Marans, 1 EE, 1 white Silkie hen, 1 Dominique hen. 2 cats and 1 dog. Homesteader, organic gardener, and most importantly chicken fanatic!

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." -- Francis Bacon

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post #3 of 24
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frosthazard 

I have some that haven't laid since October. they're not molting and it's 70 degrees outside today idunno I've heard that feeding them some crushed red pepper can help get them laying again. I think I'm going to give it a try


I'm going to give that a try, thanks for the tip.

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply

www.youtube.com/stoneschickens

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hatch-cam-2012


Keeping tabs on my five favorite birds and favorite bunnies.

Reply
post #4 of 24

I've changed nothing with my just under a year hens, and all of them have kept laying as usual. I guess i'm a lucky mom. They lay everday minus my Silkie and Arumericana, they are every other day. I have not changed any lighting or habits.

~The ARTS Flock~
  of Watkins Glen
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~The ARTS Flock~
  of Watkins Glen
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post #5 of 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueicebird 

I've changed nothing with my just under a year hens, and all of them have kept laying as usual. I guess i'm a lucky mom. They lay everday minus my Silkie and Arumericana, they are every other day. I have not changed any lighting or habits.


They will lay through the winter without extra light their first year. 

Mine are in their second year and I'm not expecting anything until the days are longer again.  There are less than 10 hours of daylight right now here.  I'm not sure what month we'll be in when we get back up to 14 hours of light again...  I miss eggs sad

Owned by two old dogs (yellow lab and a big, red, fuzzy mutt) and four chickens (Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, and two Easter Eggers)
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Owned by two old dogs (yellow lab and a big, red, fuzzy mutt) and four chickens (Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, and two Easter Eggers)
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post #6 of 24

Just got my first egg in probably 6 weeks or so.  Expecting more and more as they come off of molting and the days get longer.  It's tough going without eggs, but I like giving their bodies a break from all that hard work!

One super fantastic coop-building husband, thousands of honeybees, 1 BA, 1 BO, 3 EE, 2 blue cochins, 1 Welsummer and 1 banty light brahma named Camilla

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One super fantastic coop-building husband, thousands of honeybees, 1 BA, 1 BO, 3 EE, 2 blue cochins, 1 Welsummer and 1 banty light brahma named Camilla

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post #7 of 24

There's a new "nutritional movement" called Slow Food.  It's about being healthier by eating what's available, when its available.  For instance, sugaring up on fruits like apples, grapes and oranges in the autumn (when they're ready for harvest)  to fatten ourselves up for long dark winters; harvesting bitter greens in the early spring to get a jump start on bright long summer days full of activity and less sleep, eating meat and eggs produced within your home town to improve your "biome" or the germs that keep you protected from new diseasy germs, etc.

I wonder if there's any scientific data about this phenomenon? Maybe we're not supposed to eat rich eggs while its cold & dark and we're less active?  hu

But in answer to your question, we use no artificial light and our 3 year old hens aren't laying anything.  The 1 year olds have slowed to 1 egg per 3 days each.  They all appear to be healthy with wondrous feathering, hot feet and normal weight, and their poops and vent skin show no sign of parasites, so I have to assume that all is well.  They are active and healthy looking birds.

Mom and Dad of 3 boys 14,11,9; live in city in-town by public library and school; Silkie rooster, Silkie hen, EE hen, RoseComb Bantam and 8 of their mixed breed offspring!  And a bunny!
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Mom and Dad of 3 boys 14,11,9; live in city in-town by public library and school; Silkie rooster, Silkie hen, EE hen, RoseComb Bantam and 8 of their mixed breed offspring!  And a bunny!
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post #8 of 24

I have a couple hens that have started back up at 2 months and a week.  I have several hens that are going through very hard molts that haven't laid in over 4 months.

It just depends on the hen and how hard of a molt she goes through.  In my experience, the average is about 3 months.

Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

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Breeding Welsummers and Barnevelders.

 

Having an Icelandic in the coop is like having a 2 year old in the house - they are into everything and don't follow the rules.

I have zero chicken willpower.

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post #9 of 24

I'm in CA, though the mountains, and we've been having 60 degree days. Our girls are ALL laying age, all within their first year. From the six I might get one egg a day right now. I'm going to review their nutrition to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to be, but they all look and act healthy. I guess this can be normal though I was expecting a bit more. Oh well, whatever they give us we'll have to go with. Oh, and we use no artificial light or heat.

Please follow my blog- http://www.girlrural.com/
Mabel (Delaware), Maude (Barred Rock) Ethel (Jersey Giant) Dorothy (Buff Orpington) Gertrude (Australorp) Harriet (RIR)
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Please follow my blog- http://www.girlrural.com/
Mabel (Delaware), Maude (Barred Rock) Ethel (Jersey Giant) Dorothy (Buff Orpington) Gertrude (Australorp) Harriet (RIR)
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post #10 of 24

No breaks just a slow down. Still more than enough eggs each day. BRs and RIRs

WHY DOES LIFE SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY OF LIVING?

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WHY DOES LIFE SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY OF LIVING?

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