Hens not laying

[WildCHILD400]

Wow thanks I never knew that stuff. It makes me feel better that mine aren't the only hens who stop laying. My two layers are almost a year old now and my others about 7 months. Its winter here in MI and very cold that's what the lamp is for.

 

[shoetou]

they need more sun light to lay plus it takes more energy to lay in the winter and there still in a molt

 

[aart]

It is winter here in Michigan and I have two hens who have stopped laying completely. They have a heated perch and waterer and a heat lamp witch is on from 11-12am on the weekends and 3:30-6:30pm during week days. They get great food! can anyone help!

Not sure the point of the heat lamp(red or white?) only being on for those few hours.

Its winter here in MI and very cold that's what the lamp is for.

I'm in MI too, never use a heater for coop or perch, just for waterer...the times that your light is on are odd and if a white light could cause problems.

 

[Cindy in PA]

don’t use a supplemental light. it messes up the chickens and when you take it away your chickens will get really sick.

This is simply not true if you do it correctly.

 

[JurassicBawk]

Here is the BYC article below that covers most of these questions.

My chickens laid all winter last year, other than when molting, but this year since they're over 1 year old have taken the winter off. I have a 5 month old bantam that just started laying despite it being the shortest days of the year, because she's young and eager to lay. Daylight and age seem to be the biggest factors for me, with young birds not caring about daylight too much and older ones needing 12-14 hours minimum. Today is the winter solstice, and the days will slowly get longer soon.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-are-my-hens-not-laying.64564/