Winter laying

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montain_dweller

montain_dweller

In the Brooder
8 Years
Mar 13, 2011
73
2
31
Continental divide
Hey folks. I am at 9250 feet above sea level in Colorado. It's been a chilly winter here, as with most places north of me. I have a small flock of 8 hens (mixed flock, all layers) and a BO rooster.
Until this weekend my flock has been with natural light, this weekend I placed a light in the coop. They are fed fermented layer mash. And have a large run to be in on the sunny days.
For the past 2 months I have not seen a single egg. Aside from lighting, which is now in place, can anyone suggest how to bring back the laying before spring arrives?
 
How much total light are they getting now? After adding light (enough to give 10-12 hrs total per day) it takes a week or two before they "red up" and start laying again. Also, if its too cold, they sometimes wont lay, as their energy is all going towards staying warm.
 
Also, how old are they? Age does greatly effect laying.


I find that the biggest factor in cold weather is the water. It freezes up so easily, and any water restriction means that they will not lay.
 
They are all around 1 year old. They did have a molt before winter, and they always have good clean melted water inside the coop. With the light they are now getting 12 hours of light.
 
What are you feeding them? When they go through molting, they need all the protein they can get. Once their feathers grow back in, they need to get their body weight back up before they can resume laying. Increase their protein if you can.
 
i live in Utah an so its cold right now I have put a small 25 wt. bulb in my coop im wondering if I should put a stronger wattage out there or a heat lamp to help keep them warm I feed them 18 percent protein laying mesh its my first winter with chickens I give them lots a greens left over oyster shells scrambled eggs not sure what else to do I have two chickens who are still laying but my others just aren't seeing the light I guess any ideas out there I have a timmer out there starts at 5.30 a,m turns off at 7.30 a.m then turns on again at 5.30 pm an off at 8.30 pm
 
Last edited:
I live in Massachusetts and its been freezing here (2 degrees right now) and lots of snow! I provide oyster shells, grit and layer pellets to the girls. I have NO extra lighting or heat. My girls have been laying 7 a day out of 10...maybe you need more protein in food? Or calcium?
 
I'm using the highest protein count I can find locally. I have not been supplementing the calcium. Perhaps I will also get some oyster shells out for them to take as they need.
 
I found that it is the water. They need free flowing water at all times. If they go one day, and I dont mean 24 hrs, you will go days without an egg. They can recover faster with no food than they can without water. So a couple of changes a day in this cold weather helps.
 

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