Is it normal for chickens to have a winter break the first year of laying?

[Firsttimehens1234]

I have 5 hens and a rooster from April. 4 out of 5 are laying but in October after we put 2 new chickens into the flock one of the new ones stopped ,and I haven’t seen an egg from her since October.all the other ones have also stopped except for one who lays like 2x a week. Is that normal?

 

[3KillerBs]

What breeds are they?

Where are you located and how many hours of sunlight are you getting each day?

 

[Firsttimehens1234]

What breeds are they?

Where are you located and how many hours of sunlight are you getting each day?

I’m located in Denmark,the sun is up at around 8 am and it’s dark around 4 pm so not a lot of sunlight. I have 2 black copper marans,an olive egger,a Mix between isa brown and EA and a little polish chicken. The polish is the one Who hasn’t layed since October.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m located in Denmark,the sun is up at around 8 am and it’s dark around 4 pm so not a lot of sunlight. I have 2 black copper marans,an olive egger,a Mix between isa brown and EA and a little polish chicken. The polish is the one Who hasn’t layed since October.

That's not much light. They say that chickens need 14 hours.

Polish aren't very good layers anyway so I'm not surprised she's not laying.

 

[Firsttimehens1234]

That's not much light. They say that chickens need 14 hours.

Polish aren't very good layers anyway so I'm not surprised she's not laying.

That actually helped a lot that you for your time

 

[3KillerBs]

That actually helped a lot that you for your time

You're welcome.

Even here in North Carolina with 10 hours of daylight I'm only getting a handful of eggs right now.

Some people add light in the coop to improve winter laying. Others prefer to let their hens rest on a winter break. Neither way is wrong.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mine were still roosted up at 7:30 this morning, and when I got home at 4:20 pm, they were roosted up for the night. 15 hours, so 9 of daylight. No eggs for me. Usually by mid January to beginning of February is when mine will come into lay again. I have 5 pullets, which I was hoping would lay some over the winter, but nothing.

Mrs K