chicapee
Songster
Are you both using supplemental light? At my lattitude, my flock quits in mid Oct. and doesn't start back up until mid Feb. Add to that any broody issues, molting issues, and the egg hatch to POL time, and productivity takes a big hit. I wrestled with the light/no light debate. Didn't give them light the first year, then... decided that I'd rather have the girls earn their keep throughout the year, even if they did burn out sooner. I think I offset some of the stress of continued laying by giving them fermented feed. Their feathers are always beautiful, except for the ones showing rooster wear. A lot of people give them 14 hours/day year round. One fellow turns his lights off for first 2 weeks of Sept. for a forced molt. All his gals get the molt over before real cold weather hits, then they're back into full production. I'm too lazy to do that, so start my light when I notice production going down... which is about NOW! I also give them their light at night, not in the morning.
Scott, I just read your info at the bottom of your post re: chicks, more chicks... Made me grin! I started my first flock at the age of 12, with my dad as my mentor.
I don't think that I will add light, but if I did, would I put lights in the coop and the run where the feeders are located. It seems like it would be alot of hassle having to have 2 areas lit, then I would have to turn off the light in the run first leaving the one on in the coop so they could see to go to bed. Then once they were settled turn that one off too.