Another lighting question...

[bobbi-j]

In all my years of chicken keeping, I haven't had this one happen before. (Maybe because until I got my new coop and run they didn't live long enough for it to happen...) All my hens have stopped laying at once. I think they're molting because they all look pretty ragged. Anyway, I'm going to start giving them extra light so I can have eggs through the winter. My question is: Do I just start with the 3 extra hours of light right away, or should I gradually increase it to give them time to adjust? In the past, I know they've slowed down their laying as fall came, but never have they just all stopped. They free range, so there could be a hidden nest somewhere, but usually they lay in the coop. Just one or two would lay elsewhere, and I know those places. Last week I kept them confined to the coop and run all week to force them to lay in the nests (or at least where I could find the eggs). I got 1 egg out of 12 hens. That's it. My other thought is I might have an egg-eater, but isn't there usually some evidence left behind? Yolk, shell, or at least goopy shavings in the nest box?

ETA - They're all eating and drinking normally, so I don't think there are any other problems.

 

[JodyJo]

If you believe they are molting, why add light? They are stressed enough from the process, I think adding light to force laying will be more harmful...I would wait it out and see what happens, give them a week or two of just natural light and see if they are truly molting...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
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I would keep them on low light till moulting is over. The shorter days usually stimulates the molting and you're better off if they all get it over at once. I would also give a higher protein food now like 18 or 20% grower. No eggs so no calcium needed. Feathers are about 95% protein so they can't make them and eggs at the same time. If memory serves me I believe it's methionine that is the primary amino acid needed for making feathers.
ETA
When the molt is over I just kick the lighting up to 12 or so hours. No need to do it gradually.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I agree with everyone else. And they don't lay while molting. Wait until they have recovered from molting, then add light if you wish. Give them extra protein now to help them grow their feathers.

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you for your replies. I'll just let them be for now.