Do hens stop laying in Autumn

[Lillybird]

Sorry if the answer to this is somehwere but I have looked and can't find.. Do hens stop laying eggs in the Autumn and then start again in the spring or will I get eggs all year round.

 

[GoldDogsMom]

G'morn Lilly, egg production can drop in the fall and winter due to shorter daylight hours but most hens lay year round!

 

[EweSheep]

Yes they do like mine does right now. They are in molt right now and will not lay until end of Jan to Feb.

 

[Fred's Hens]

As the others have said, Autumn is break time. Some birds will moult severely and this can knock them off for up to 8 or 9 weeks. Others simply react to the decreasing daylight and slow way down. This is very age dependent and somewhat breed dependent. Feeding slightly higher protein can be of some help, as can providing an extra hour or two of artificial lighting in the predawn.

 

[Lillybird]

Thank you very much for your answers..

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

If you add some light introducing it an extra 1/2 an hour every few days until you get up to ~13 or 14 hour of total light laying will improve. Older hens seem to be more affected than younger. young hens will often lay right through winter even if light is in short supply.

 

[Chickiemom25]

I have one that just started this week so I am hoping for a winter of eggs.