How much does egglaying decrease in the winter???

[ronshoney]

I have 34 hens of various large breeds that are all supposed to be cold weather hardy as I looked for that with where we live. They were all born between may and june and I was getting about 20 eggs a day before all of this lovely weather hit and a few days we only got 2 eggs and now it's been 7-15 lately. Is this normal? They are all free range from day break till sunset and no we don't have a light yet but my oldest son did dig a trench and run the wire out there before the ground froze so now I just have to get DH to go out there and put a light in. We have a clamp light on a tree that shines on the door and the front of the coop with a extension cord running from our garage but that was because we have a horrible racoon problem so I would sit out there at night when it was still warm with the shotgun and wait for them.

 

[danamillette]

Hi there!
Completely normal. I added a few hours of light on a timer in the morning, and it helped dramatically!!
Happy Friday,
Dana

 

[dedern]

Will it harm the girls if you stick to mother nature with the lighting. I have 2 EE, 1 BO, 1BA, 2GLW and 1 Wellie. Only the BA lays on a daily basis now. The EE stopped 2 months ago. All are healthy with nice red to wattles and combs. Getting organic layer feed. Free ranging when possible and ACV in their H2o.

 

[Dawn419]

No harm done if you don't use supplemented lighting...the shorter days actually give your hens a break from laying in the winter.


Dawn

 

[Teach97]

If you lived closer to OK I have some buddies that could solve your coon problem. We chase them with hounds...it is so much fun!

 

[ronshoney]

Quote:
That does sound like fun.... they are everywhere and they come in groups. I am considering getting a outside dog this spring to help with some of the predators...... don't know if it will do much against the great horned owls or the hawks but it should help with the coyotes, coons, and fox.

 

[danamillette]

It's actually good for them to take the "break". It lengthens their laying life-cycle.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

You mentioned that they free range all day. They could be laying somewhere else. Mine will lay in the coop and sometimes make their own nest outside somewhere. When I find their nest with 6-12 eggs, they move to another hiding spot! Darn chickens!

 

[dedern]

I dont think they are laying anywhere else. They are out for 3 hrs, if the weather is acceptable. Here in CT that hasn't been on a daily basis. No matter where she is Hot Wings runs to her nesting box and lets you know she is up to doing her deed. I am ok as long as I know They wont have any health issues. I preferr to give them a rest.

 

[milleryardchx]

I have 4 hens and I'm down to one egg a day if I'm lucky from 3 or 4 a day its normal. its winter vacation for them. Just a few months retreat to recharge the egg machine battery. then they will be going again soon!