Hen lays eggs in winter without artificial light

[cmom]

Quote:
Yeah but you are in Florida. Florida is warm

My ISA lasted until a couple of weeks ago. When it dips to -10 she really needs to use all her energy to keep warm. I do not supply any heat. I do supply about 3 1/2 extra hours of light. 1 in the morning, 2 1/2 in the evening.

So they have light from 7 am - 6:45 PM. I still get eggs. Just not as much as I would if it were warm and extra light was added.

Pullets in their first year will lay through winter normally without any extra light. Older hens usually take their second winter off.

I live in north central Florida and it can get cold here. We have been having some unseasonably warm weather. We usually have frost by now.

 

[kinsey228]

I don't use artificial lights in our coop, and all of my girls are laying. Is that because they're young ?

 

[aoxa]

Quote:
That would be my guess. Especially since our weather is very similar.

Can't wait for the days to start getting longer!

Not because of the eggs, but because I never get to watch chicken TV anymore! Well, except on weekends.

 

[Gerry2011]

My blk. Am (at 38 wks!!) started laying about 10 days ago and some of my sex-links (20 wks) have started and I'm not using light. My lav. Am hasn't laid yet and she is now 40 wks!!!