My hens stopped laying. Eggs thru winter?

[amiachicknorwat]

Hi, was getting 2 eggs then 4 eggs. Got about 35 hens, usually get a dozen or more per day. Not sure all have come into laying age as yet. turned on lights daily since the birds stopped laying. Haven't been altogether consistent in timing the lights unfortunately since dont have a working timer. Does anybody know tricks to keep them laying thru winter? Are there any? Is it a ridiculous expectation? I wouldn't think so, but beginning to wonder. Thanks, Nick of the North (Canadian Rockies)

 

[Thedukelife]

There is a video by Justin Rhodes that answers any questions about why your chickens aren't laying.

 

[Thedukelife]

Here is the link to the video

a lot of great information is given out!

 

[Thedukelife]

I tried to post the link but it has to be moderated first..

 

[junebuggena]

For supplemental lighting to work, you need to gradually increase the time it's on, to simulate the increasing days of spring.

 

[feonaleejones]

Do they need calcium ?

 

[aart]

Hi, was getting 2 eggs then 4 eggs. Got about 35 hens, usually get a dozen or more per day. Not sure all have come into laying age as yet. turned on lights daily since the birds stopped laying. Haven't been altogether consistent in timing the lights unfortunately since dont have a working timer. Does anybody know tricks to keep them laying thru winter? Are there any? Is it a ridiculous expectation? I wouldn't think so, but beginning to wonder. Thanks, Nick of the North (Canadian Rockies)

A dozen eggs out of 35 hens isn't too good either.
Timed lighting can work, if properly applied, yes....inconsistent light can really screw things up, stop that until you get a working timer!
Even with properly applied lighting, the older birds will still most likely molt, they don't lay while molting, and need extra protein to get thru molting faster.

Much more info would be needed to know why you birds aren't laying and what might possibly be done about it.
How old are the birds?
Breeds of birds?
How much space do they have in coop and run...in feet by feet.
Do they free range ...if so, how much?
What and how exactly are you feeding.

 

[Thedukelife]

If the days are shorter than 14 hours days, odds are, they won't lay during that time, however,unless you really need the eggs rn, I would suggest not doing the lights at night. The birds naturally need this time off, otherwise you could end up stressing the birds and messing up egg production in the future