Chickens wont start laying after molt

[CinnamonQueen12]

I have 2 black australorps, 2 barred rocks, and 2 ameraucanas that have finished molting months ago, but will not lay. Our golden buffs, rhode island red, and wyandotte bantam are laying almost every day, but the others havn't laid an egg since maybe late september, early october. All chickens have a thick fluffy coat of brand new feathers, so I can't understand why they won't lay. I'm wondering if it is because they are slightly overweight? We started giving our chickens a mix of oatmeal, garlic, and layer feed on occasion, and they get scratch and sunflower seeds almost every day. One of the black australorps is so plump, if we were planning on ever eating our girls, she would feed us for days!

 

[aoxa]

Older hens often take a break during the winter months. They need 14-16 hours of daylight to be productive, and here we are pushing 9 hours of sunlight. All of my older hens have stopped laying. I do not provide extra light, as I feel like this break is essential.

If your hens are specifically for eggs and will be replaced often - go ahead and light the coop for a few extra hours every morning.

 

[CinnamonQueen12]

Their actuaaly more like pets

We love our chickens! We were just slightly worried that we were overfeeding them or something. Thanks for the reply. I hadn't thought about how old our girls are getting!

 

[aoxa]

Their actuaaly more like pets :cd  We love our chickens! We were just slightly worried that we were overfeeding them or something. Thanks for the reply. I hadn't thought about how old our girls are getting!

They're just taking a break It's natural for them to do so.

If they are pets, let them take the break. It's healthier for them IMO.

Winter lighting brings up another health subject....melatonin uptake. Melatonin is only released by the pineal gland in the darkness and will not be stimulate to release if there is any light present...even low lighting. Many light the coops to stimulate laying throughout the winter and I will give you my take on that as not being a such great idea if you want your chickens to be healthy and have laying longevity.

A natural slow down for all creatures is needed in the winter months and the all natural approach to animal husbandry takes this into account. The nutrients needed as fuel to stay warm should not necessarily be funneled into forced laying.

Melatonin is important in preventing reproductive cancers, for increased reproductive health and in good immune system function.

If you just have production layers that will be replaced in 2 short years, then lighting is the way to go as you have these birds for one reason and do not expect them to last you past the 2 year mark anyway. At 2 years they can all be culled and you can start a new flock.

But, if you are like me and keep a rolling flock of dual purpose breeds that make their own replacements and are going to be around until they just cannot lay enough to earn their feed, then lighting is probably not a good idea. You'll want those birds to be as healthy and to lay as long as they possibly can in all the years that you have them. If so, lighting the winter coop is probably not the best idea. I've never lit a coop and have always had eggs enough for the family through the winter months... and birds that lay like gangbusters clear up into their senior years.

If you want eggs through the winter, a good idea is to keep a high production type in the flocks that will go ahead and lay you some eggs for the family during winter slow down.... Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, New Hampshires and even Black Australorps and White Rocks can do the trick and without anything more than natural light from the winter sun.

Lighting and heat. Don't do it, never did. Flock lays supremely in peak season, slows down in the winter and I never needed so many eggs that I had to goose them up to make a little more. I sell eggs when there are plenty, save them for my family and a few preferred customers when there are few.

Nature is always the best teacher.... if a bird doesn't lay as much in the winter it is because they just shouldn't be doing it then. Some do, some don't, some will, some can't.

To defray costs when egg money isn't coming in as regularly, I buy whole grains to cut my layer rations. Goes further, keeps the flock well in the winter but isn't designed for peak laying season nutritional needs.

Heat is provided by God and all His incredible handiwork.... warm, fluffy feathering. I also use deep litter for the added benefit of floor warmth. My big coop windows are covered with plastic but the pop door is always open.

Why you shouldn't light your coop in the winter.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Older hens often take a break during the winter months. They need 14-16 hours of daylight to be productive, and here we are pushing 9 hours of sunlight. All of my older hens have stopped laying. I do not provide extra light, as I feel like this break is essential.

If your hens are specifically for eggs and will be replaced often - go ahead and light the coop for a few extra hours every morning.

Yep, and once they grow their feathers back in, they also need to get their body weight back up to a sustainable level. You will know they are getting close to laying again when their combs turn from pale back to bright red.

 

[aoxa]

Older hens often take a break during the winter months. They need 14-16 hours of daylight to be productive, and here we are pushing 9 hours of sunlight. All of my older hens have stopped laying. I do not provide extra light, as I feel like this break is essential.


If your hens are specifically for eggs and will be replaced often - go ahead and light the coop for a few extra hours every morning.

Yep, and once they grow their feathers back in, they also need to get their body weight back up to a sustainable level.  You will know they are getting close to laying again when their combs turn from pale back to bright red.

And all of my birds are molting NOW. I missed the contest.. lol

 

[Happy Chooks]

It ended already? Wow, that was fast. Post pictures of them on my molting thread anyway - I like to see them!