It is the SHORTER DAYS that affect chicken's laying. They will kick-start in early spring when days start getting longer.
My chickens went on their usual Autumn/Winter strike. I forgot what eggs look like
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, well, not the ones from store
Since they are not laying, you don't need the layer feed at this time. Non-laying chickens should be getting only about 2% calcium in their diet. Layer is 4%. Its not going to kill your chickens,,,,,, but the extra calcium is not really all that good.
There are 2 ways to solve this. This is my opinion, and others may have different ideas/solutions.
1. Switch to Alflock feed which is @2% calcium. When laying resumes, then go back to layer. or
2. Dilute the calcium intake by adding generous amounts of scratch to their diet. I know this subject RAISES
RED FLAGS with many. Federation says only 10% or less treats
I personally feed Alflock feed year-round. I have layers, and non-layers. I offer cracked Oyster shells free-choice. I also break the FEDERATION RULES,
and feed plenty of other grains, and scratch. ALL MY CHICKENS ARE PETS, and live LOOOOONG LIVES. They must be relatively healthy to pull 13 years (longest) and 11 or 10 very common lifespans.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
