Hello!

[windsweptzz]

Welcome to BYC. I do not use extra lighting. I feel that hens need a recovery period. Molting is hard on their bodies. Forcing lay on them may shorten their lifespans. That is merely my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

Wow! Well, I didn't think about that. Thank you for that insight. The new group started laying in Dec. 2022. The older group started laying in Mar. 2022. I only have a few that look a little rough like they are molting. Maybe they are a bit young in the second group and won't all do it until spring. I will watch for that though. I certainly don't want anything to harm them. Is winter considered a rest time, literally?

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[windsweptzz]

Welcome to BYC!

Thank you so much!

 

[janiedoe]

Wow! Well, I didn't think about that. Thank you for that insight. The new group started laying in Dec. 2022. The older group started laying in Mar. 2022. I only have a few that look a little rough like they are molting. Maybe they are a bit young in the second group and won't all do it until spring. I will watch for that though. I certainly don't want anything to harm them. Is winter considered a rest time, literally?

Many of us consider it to be so. Chickens are formed with all the eggs that they will ever lay, ready and waiting to develop. The more they lay, the fewer they have left to lay, and their production will slow down each year. The high production breeds are also more prone to reproductive illnesses.

 

[windsweptzz]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

Hello! We are in Kentucky!

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[windsweptzz]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

Thank you so much!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to the BYC community.

 

[fluffycrow]

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you! Yes, some of us consider winter a rest period, where they can molt and replenish their energy and minerals, so they can start stronger in the spring. Of course, this is a personal choice

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Is winter considered a rest time, literally?

Yes. I leave my flock to live their lives as naturally as possible. I reduce my egg use when the eggs stop coming and waterglass surplus eggs during the summer so I have eggs for consumption during winter.