Breeds that are supposed to be winter layers are not laying

[cluckingheck]

I’m just wanting to make sure this is normal, but my two black australorps and two golden laced wyandottes are not laying while my leghorns, black sex-link and ISA browns are. Does that happen sometimes? I know they are said to be winter layers but they’re the only ones not laying besides my broody and pullet that hasn’t reached POL yet.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I’m just wanting to make sure this is normal, but my two black australorps and two golden laced wyandottes are not laying while my leghorns, black sex-link and ISA browns are. Does that happen sometimes? I know they are said to be winter layers but they’re the only ones not laying besides my broody and pullet that hasn’t reached POL yet.

It is normal for chickens to take a break in the winter.
I believe all of those a winter hardy breeds just meaning they can handle to cold climate. Not sure if they are winter layers though.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I breed my own winter layers. I have 12 dozen eggs waiting to go to people. Brought home 6 more dozen today.

My Orpingtons from Hoover's Hatchery are great winter layers too.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would say that in my experience SOME of the ones said to be "great winter layers" did lay through their first winter but not all did.
Each year fewer of them laid in winter.
This year they are all over 3 and zero are laying. My BSL and a Starlight green layer did pretty well up til just before Thanksgiving when molting for them happened.
This week I have seen one of my 4 year old BSL's making butt dents in nest boxes just not leaving me a prize yet.

 

[cluckingheck]

It is normal for chickens to take a break in the winter.
I believe all of those a winter hardy breeds just meaning they can handle to cold climate. Not sure if they are winter layers though.

I know winter hardy doesn’t mean they’ll lay in the winter. It was just stated that they are good winter layers in their breed focus and on other places I found.

 

[cluckingheck]

I would say that in my experience SOME of the ones said to be "great winter layers" did lay through their first winter but not all did.
Each year fewer of them laid in winter.
This year they are all over 3 and zero are laying. My BSL and a Starlight green layer did pretty well up til just before Thanksgiving when molting for them happened.
This week I have seen one of my 4 year old BSL's making but dents in nest boxes just not leaving me a prize yet.

None of my chickens are a year old yet. Though, I was mostly wanting to know if it was normal for some of the winter layers not to lay during the winter.

 

[21hens-incharge]

None of my chickens are a year old yet. Though, I was mostly wanting to know if it was normal for some of the winter layers not to lay during the winter.

Yes it is normal.
I wish they could guarantee they would lay in winter. I miss needing to carry my egg basket out with me.

 

[CluckerFamily]

None of my chickens are a year old yet. Though, I was mostly wanting to know if it was normal for some of the winter layers not to lay during the winter.

Do you turn on a light to keep them laying in the shortened daylight days?
Not sure if this is even needed for winter layers or if it would help.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

Have your winter layers stopped laying, or have they just not started? I know you said they're your only ones not laying besides broody and a PoL pullet, but did these girls quit on you?

 

[cluckingheck]

Do you turn on a light to keep them laying in the shortened daylight days?
Not sure if this is even needed for winter layers or if it would help.

No, I don’t keep the light on. I’m not upset about it and wanting them to lay, I was just making sure nothing was wrong with them. My ISA browns, leghorns & BSL have been laying just fine without taking a break despite shorten days.

I was making sure it was normal for some winter layers to...not lay during the winter