Chickens laying at full capacity

[Fourth quarter]

Is this normal for this time of year? I have six chickens and they have laid six eggs per day for the last 11 days. Everywhere I'm looking on the internet, other chicken owners claim that their production is way down and molting feathers all over the coop. Have seen very few feathers around. What's keeping my girls from going into a full-blown molt? I have two each, BR, IB, RIR

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

How old are your girls? If under a year they may skip molting until next fall.

 

[DukesDucks]

It is helpful when trying answer questions, if you add your location. It can be added on your account details in general terms such as mine is Eastern Ontario.
As to your questions this is important as to whether you are in say Australia or Alaska for instance.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

How old? If newer and this is their first year laying, this would be the norm. Some add supplemental lighting and get the same results.

 

[Finnie]

Lucky you!

 

[Deezchix]

Is this normal for this time of year? I have six chickens and they have laid six eggs per day for the last 11 days. Everywhere I'm looking on the internet, other chicken owners claim that their production is way down and molting feathers all over the coop. Have seen very few feathers around. What's keeping my girls from going into a full-blown molt? I have two each, BR, IB, RIR

My flock of 7 laying hens were all born this year. Only one BR has stopped/slowed down laying eggs but she was unwell recently. I have 3 golden comets and they are still in full force laying 6-7 eggs a week each. Could be climate, environment, food or who knows. We have been having some pretty cold nights lately so I too was expecting molting and less eggs, but no changes yet.

 

[bruceha2000]

Since they are this year's chicks, they haven't gone through their first adult moult and may continue laying all winter. They will moult next fall and you too can join the "my hens are moulting and I'm getting no eggs" clan

 

[Deezchix]

Since they are this year's chicks, they haven't gone through their first adult moult and may continue laying all winter. They will moult next fall and you too can join the "my hens are moulting and I'm getting no eggs" clan

Oh ok, I get it. Lol What are some good ways to deal with that? Keep adding pullets to the mix every year? Putting daylight bulbs in the chicken coop? Changing feed or bedding in the fall? Insulating their coop?

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh ok, I get it. Lol What are some good ways to deal with that? Keep adding pullets to the mix every year? Putting daylight bulbs in the chicken coop? Changing feed or bedding in the fall? Insulating their coop?

A lot of people who want a reliable supply of eggs replace 1/3 of the flock every year.

 

[bruceha2000]

Oh ok, I get it. Lol What are some good ways to deal with that? Keep adding pullets to the mix every year? Putting daylight bulbs in the chicken coop? Changing feed or bedding in the fall? Insulating their coop?

Shy of adding winter light (always in the morning, let them have a natural "sundown" to go to sleep) I think the only way to guarantee eggs year round from your flock is to add chicks every spring or buy point of lay hens about the time your existing girls start to moult. That would, of course, result is a serious case of Chicken Math.

What you can do is start collecting the eggs before they start to moult and freeze them. You need to crack them into a bowl, stir them up gently, do not introduce any air. Then put it in a silicone muffin cup in a muffin tin and put it in the freezer. When they are frozen (the white and yolk will separate some) drop them in a freezer bag and repeat until you have as many as you think you'll need through February. They make lousy sunny side up but are great for scrambled or baking. Make sure you thaw them thoroughly before using them.

Insulating the coop is totally unnecessary, they already have their down coats... every single day of the year. What they REALLY need in the winter is proper ventilation.