Is it healthier to let them stop laying during the winter?

[Tracydr]

In AZ, layers pretty much stop for the summer, so I figure they have had their rest. Keeping chickens in this extreme climate isn't natural. I'll add light and change their cycle to lay in winter since summer isn't an ideal time for them to lay, either.

 

[Tuxindy]

I live in Alaska and right now I'm struggling not only with light but some pretty cold weather. I was told that giving the layers a break will prolong their life and will result in some fabulous eggs in the Spring. Current temperature is -18 and the infared heat lamp is on 24 hours a day. On these cold days the lamp keeps the coop around 20-25 degrees. Obviously they're not leaving the coop much right now. If I switch their food from the Layer formula to Pullet Grower will this provide them the nutrients to survive the winter and rest them from egg production? I keep them occupied with toys and grain blocks to keep them from getting bored, this seems to be working. I only have five chickens and I'm still harvesting 3-5 eggs per day.

 

[secuono]

I don't make mine lay all year because I don't want any added chance of 'egg bound' risk.

 

[ruffles]

Hi, personal choice, we do not provide any extra light, we let their bodies rest.

 

[humpbacks1962]

I didn't even plan on getting eggs this winter so I did nothing at all. One of my orpies laid her first on Christmas day! No extra light, no extra warmth, no nothing. I was going to go along with nature.
It was her initiative to do it while it is colder and darker. So I started giving them all oyster shells...

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
I have had -29* here in Colorado...I add NO heat...you truly don't need to...I know its hard to adjust to knowing your girls are in the cold, but as long as they are out of the wind, and have food and water, they need NO heat....I don't use a light either, I want them to have a break and already lost one to egg bound, don't want to deal with this in the winter.

 

[Nonny]

Personally I prefer not to mess with Mother Nature. Then again, I live in a very sunny climate and don't mind buying some eggs from the farmers markets to tide us over if ours stop laying for a while.

I also have no plans to swap the girls for newbies when they stop laying so it's to my benefit to let them take a break when they need to and produce eggs over a longer period rather than force them to keep laying and shorten their egg-laying years.



(I also struggle with the concept of "personal choice" when it's not the chicken doing the choosing)

 

[Tuxindy]

Thanks JodyJo, I'll turn the lamp off for now. Do you use a heated bowl for water?

Quote:
I have had -29* here in Colorado...I add NO heat...you truly don't need to...I know its hard to adjust to knowing your girls are in the cold, but as long as they are out of the wind, and have food and water, they need NO heat....I don't use a light either, I want them to have a break and already lost one to egg bound, don't want to deal with this in the winter.

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
I have had -29* here in Colorado...I add NO heat...you truly don't need to...I know its hard to adjust to knowing your girls are in the cold, but as long as they are out of the wind, and have food and water, they need NO heat....I don't use a light either, I want them to have a break and already lost one to egg bound, don't want to deal with this in the winter.


Yes I do....a dog dish, and even at my sub zero temps water doesn't freeze.
I do have a cloth curtain over the pop door to keep drafts down and one on the nesting boxes.
Just remember that the chickens are covered in down...if you scoop on up on a cold morning and tuck your hand underneath into her fluff,
you can warm your hands nicely! They do worse in the heat...

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
I have had -29* here in Colorado...I add NO heat...you truly don't need to...I know its hard to adjust to knowing your girls are in the cold, but as long as they are out of the wind, and have food and water, they need NO heat....I don't use a light either, I want them to have a break and already lost one to egg bound, don't want to deal with this in the winter.


I don't know that I'd just 'turn it off'. If you decide to go with out the lamp, I think I'd go with a much smaller wattage bulb for a week or two first. A sudden 40 degree drop to deal with won't be pleasant, down coat or not.