Can they stop laying, and then start again after adding a heat lamp?

[FlowerFarmer]

After realizing our eggs were decreasing rapidly with this temperature change, we installed a heat lamp for our girls and have it on in their coop at night. This is their first winter, so I'm not sure what to expect as far as egg production. I've heard that they can stop laying this time of year, and that the lamp could help, but can it make them start laying more? Any thoughts about continuing production through the cold months? I live in the Pacific Northwest and it's already getting down to freezing? Do I have much hope of getting breakfast from my girls before springtime? THX

 

[Yay Chicks!]

It really isn't the temperature change that stops the egg laying. Rather it is the decrease in light. Here in the PNW, you don't need the extra heat at all. If you don't want to wait until the light increases for eggs, you can put a regular light bulb on a timer to come on early in the a.m.

 

[goldies99]

i would nix the heat lamp...........they dont need it and could be harmful to them should the power go out....they cant adjust to the sudden temp change and may die....
they need 14 hours of light.....40 watt regular bulb will do the trick!........good luck!

 

[Woodcox Acre]

many people have good luck putting a light in the coop, my neighbor added one recently and is now getting eggs again

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's the daylight, not the cold. They don't need the heat lamp. You could add a white light bulb, they only need enough light for you to read a newspaper.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I only provide 11-12 hours of light, supplemental and natural combined. They are in the dark from 5 pm until they are awakened at 5 am. I've had 90% lay days and a couple of 100% lay days this week. I mimic the areas closer to the equator where chickens get just about 12 hours of light, year round. They never see 14 hours in Hawaii, for example.