Chickens not laying

[Birdsong 82]

Sorry to overwhelm with the questions. You said your adding protein for winter. Are they still eating their regular layer feed

 

[Dcarlson]

Some of my chickens look fully feathered while molting. I just find extra feathers in the coop and then some just look plain pitiful where they look half naked and looks like there was s pillow fight in the coop. Lol. How short have you days gotten? And temps. Sorry so many questions. Just trying to figure out if it’s shorter days and molt or something more

Our days are about 10hrs, our temps are below freezing, they are not free range. I do have a heat light on for them in there pen.

 

[Dcarlson]

Sorry to overwhelm with the questions. You said your adding protein for winter. Are they still eating their regular layer feed

No it’s a higher protein feed

 

[Birdsong 82]

As long as they are still getting some calcium. Offering oyster shell on side? My hens reduce laying when daylight hours are less than 12 to 14. If The heat lamp is producing constant light inside the coop I have heard that that can throw them off. I don’t have light in my coop so I can’t say for sure

 

[Birdsong 82]

If You add your location to your profile they can help other members to help you pinpoint a problem

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located? Listing your location in your profile helps members with replies (time zone & weather). I'm suspecting it's the weather & they're at the molting age, so that's another possibility. Higher protein is good, don't over do the corn. What is the protein percentage? You don't need to feed layer, just make sure you have Oyster Shell in a separate dish for them.

 

[cats and chicks]

Thanks, I don’t remember what breed they are. But they are 1 1/2 years old.

Most chickens will lay throughout their first year, but their second fall/early winter, egg production will drop or even stop (because of molting and shorter days). For me in Ga, egg production usually picks up again sometime in January. I don't use any supplemental light, but when mine are molting, I often add oatmeal to their feed, but if you're feeding mealworms, that should be a good protein source.

 

[aart]

They have a heat light in there nesting box area.

Heat lamps are dangerous, had to say it, and often not necessary. Is it on 24/7? Don't forget that ventilation is important too.
Pics of your coop, inside and out, might help us help you optimize their environment.

But they are 1 1/2 years old.

Typical age and time of year to stop laying and molt. Could take weeks or a few months before you see eggs again.

No it’s a higher protein feed

Exactly what brand and model of feed....or protein percentage??

I live in MN

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