is it normal?

[ebonykawai]

I haven't gotten an egg since end of November. I have 8 RIRs, this is their second winter. They are from a breeder and started laying quite late (6-7 mos old). Always laid well, until the fall when I had a few broodies, then some started molting. I don't use light or heat, just let them go natural. Same feed as always: layer crumbles, oyster shell, plenty of water. Extra protein when they were molting.

I know most chickens past their first winter take a break, but I didn't think it would be this long. Is this just how it goes? When do second year (and later) birds pick back up again?

 

[PandoraTaylor]

in the spring when Daylight lengthens again. Or you could provide 14 hours (total) light for them.

 

[Eagle2026]

All chickens are different, and no light? It could be awhile.
You see chickens like light and that's why they lay, 14 hrs light good 8-10 hrs light bad.
I think that this is just getting started for you........sorry, but hang in there!
Mike

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Like you, I don't push them to lay with artificial light. I still get an egg every day or two, but not nearly as many as during the longer days. It's completely normal, and it's a good chance for their bodies to rest.

 

[ebonykawai]

Thanks for the feedback! As long as it's relatively normal, I'm fine with it. They laid all last winter, being their first winter, so I didn't expect that they would totally quit this season. They got through their moult just fine and are fat and happy again, lol. I don't mind waiting.

 

[emys]

Temperature helps too. We had a warm spell here in Idaho this past week and one of my silkie pullets laid her first 2 eggs (No extra light in her cage). You've had quite a cold snap I hear.

 

[ella]

I don't do artificial light either, of my two year old girls only my two Delewares are laying now. I didn't keep track of when they quit though. It's not particularly abnormal but it wouldn't hurt to do a general health check.

Check their weight by feeling their keels and the flesh on either side. There is a natural variation betweens breeds and individuals but they should have a fair bit of flesh there.

Look for lice/mites by taking a flashlight at night and looking at their skin around their bottoms especially.

It wouldn't hurt to do a routine worming, especially if they're not laying because you won't have to throw out eggs. Or if you're not into preventative worming, take some poo in to do a fecal float test to check for them.

Other than that, I think you're pretty safe. I know my girls like the time off, and I like not burying so many each year! They'll start up again soone enough.

 

[Cockadoodledon't]

Trying giving them some warm water and some warm food.
That has helped my egg production. I read on one of the posts here that someone gave their chickens oatmeal.
My girls LOVE warm oatmeal and the warm water.
They have cut back some, but, I am still getting a pretty good showing from the girls.

 

[fordmommy]

Are they in moult??? Second winter. Hhhmmmm??? Any signs of moulting? Feathers every where?? Sometimes it can be a light moult too.

Maybe you could try giving a little catfood then. That's supposed to help speed up moulting due to the high protien.

 

[waterpossum]

i have 3 EEs 2 SLW and 1BLH and they all started laying really good the first of Jan and we also had a huge cold snap to come through here but it didn/t stop them at all. i had frozen eggs for a week that i had to feed the dog or back to the chickens but i was happy w/ production. i made up my own mix of layer pellets, layer crumbles, fancy scratch and 18% dry dog food and WOW i can tell the difference in the past 2 weeks! even jump started some banty hens to start laying again which i haven/t had in about 3 months.