How to keep chickens happy this winter?

[Georgiachickenkid]

Hello BYC!

I would love to hear some of your advice on how to keep my chickens and ducks happy this winter. My coop is in west-central Georgia, and the cold weather is setting in quicker than usual. Is it possible to keep the hens laying during the shorter days as well?

 

[caseymgc18]

I have four Barred rocks that I am getting 3 or more eggs every day from. They are roughly 27 weeks old. I have been using supplemental light for the coop. I typically turn it on at 7am, and leave it on until 8:30pm to 9pm. I also have been loading them up with meal worms and other proteins to stay warm as they can. I also added a few extra roosts, and some other random things to climb on like ladders to keep them from boredom.

 

[Georgiachickenkid]

I have four Barred rocks that I am getting 3 or more eggs every day from. They are roughly 27 weeks old. I have been using supplemental light for the coop. I typically turn it on at 7am, and leave it on until 8:30pm to 9pm. I also have been loading them up with meal worms and other proteins to stay warm as they can. I also added a few extra roosts, and some other random things to climb on like ladders to keep them from boredom.

Thanks!

 

[tlcmurphy]

Young hens will usually lay through their first winter. After that they will usually pause during the shorter days, and generally molt during this time too. I’ve been told it’s too hard on the girls to grow feathers and make eggs

 

[Georgiachickenkid]

Young hens will usually lay through their first winter. After that they will usually pause during the shorter days, and generally molt during this time too. I’ve been told it’s too hard on the girls to grow feathers and make eggs

Thanks for the info!