Few back feathers and its getting colder

[ckn-hrtd]

Is there something we can do in the way of making an overcoat of sorts? We have had a couple cold snaps, and egg production went way down.

 

[Henry&Friends]

You could give them handmade chicken sweaters, or you can buy a saddle vest for them. They’re probably molting, which explains the lack of feathers and eggs.

 

[Henry&Friends]

Here’s a link to a crochet chicken sweater, along with other crochet patterns. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/508302760/ebook-chicken-sweater-crochet-patterns?ref=shop_home_active_5&source=aw&awc=10781_1573068563_50d7c44ef496110b4069d38e51bb05ce&zanpid=10781_1573068563_50d7c44ef496110b4069d38e51bb05ce&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_campaign=au_buyer&utm_content=349243&utm_term=141123

oh and uhhhh that photo is not mine I stole it off the site I linked

 

[ckn-hrtd]

Thank you. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[feathermaid]

Egg production is affected more by daylight hours and diet. Cold doesn't really play a part. If chickens are molting, it takes an extreme amount of energy to grow new feathers so egg laying always slows or stops during that time, and usually won't start again until daylight increases to at least 14 hours per day (in spring).

You can add supplemental light to the morning hours to trick chickens into laying again, but in order for it to be effective it has to be done gradually over a period of several weeks and a dark period also provided, adjusted periodically to coincide with the natural sunrise and sunset.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/supplemental-light-in-coop-why-how/

If you're just worried about them being cold, their new feathers will provide plenty of warmth and insulation even in freezing weather less than 0 degrees F. Putting a sweater on over pin feathers that are starting to grow back can be very painful for the bird.