How to feed layers and non-layers in winter months

[Dragonfly Ranch]

We have 2 each of the following breeds:

Silver Lace
Red Stars
Light Brahmas
Amerucanas
Single Comb Leghorns

We ordered from McMurray and their catalog indicates that the first three breeds lay throughout the winter. The last two they did not say either way.

We live in Northern California and winters are mild with more running days then cold.

Our understanding is that when they stop laying in winter months you change their feed to a non-layer formula. If this is indeed true how do you handle feeding layers and non-layers at the same time. Or does it even matter.

Sandee

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I just feed mine lay pellets all year.

 

[chickiedoodle]

Happy Valley as in Somerset? That is where we are and our girls lay all winter--just not quite every day. We have mostly different breeds than you, but none of ours stopped all together, so I would think that what you feed them now is fine.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Quote:
Happy Valley in Northern California on the out skirts of Redding. I have been very pleased that even in the 100+ degree heat here they all have laid.

Sandee

 

[yellowchickensmomma]

I have always heard you feed them the same thing all the time.

 

[Big C]

Layer pellets all year.
That is what they are used to. Any change will alter laying habits.

 

[BJ_BOBBI_JO]

My chickens are in a 40 foot by 40 foot pen for now. I feed them TSC pellets but they got to needing and wanting more because they were sticking their heads out of the pen cage to eat grass (they had already eaten all the grass in their pen).

So now I pick fresh grass and clovers daily for them with other weeds they like. I have noticed them growing bigger since then and they enjoy it so much. It cant be exciting or healthy to only eat 1 food type (pellets/corn)so Im wondering what all I can find to feed them in winter once the grass and other plants are under ice and snow?

Do feed co-ops often sell something that might do the trick like oats, alfalfa, or some other kind of green or food they may like and need to help get them threw the winter months?

We give them scraps, the chickens we used to have ate cat food in the winter but we were not as concerned about it then because we only had a few as pets only and not as egg layers.