Is this normal?

[jnicholes]

Hello,

I am still new to raising chickens, so bear with me.

I was taking care of my nine hens and I noticed something. It is winter and the temperatures are cold. I looked a the amount of eggs I was getting a day it has lowered big time. I am getting much less eggs than in the summer.

They will be a year old around March 1st next year, by the way.

Is this normal for hens to lay less in winter?

Jared

 

[lilmillefleur]

the shorter daylight hours often cause them to lay less.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

agree... they will pick back up again in the spring.

 

[dunnmom]

Yes. Very normal.

 

[SonoranChick]

Yep, no worries! They are adjusting to having less light during the day, and when spring arrives, they should be back in business

 

[jnicholes]

Hello,

Good to know, thanks so much!

Jared

 

[Lazy Farmer]

My egg population just finished a big time molt. On top of the days being shorter, Over 60 birds and I was getting "2" eggs a day..
My husband rigged up a florescent light fixture on a timer to come on around 5 am and off at 7 am. I am now getting up to 4 dozen a day now.
We will take the lights down come spring time.
Florescent lights are low temperature and decrease the fire hazard. I recently introduced 12 or so additional hens to the egg pop. Hoping the added lighted day hours will help them with their production as well.

 

[dunnmom]

My egg population just finished a big time molt. On top of the days being shorter, Over 60 birds and I was getting "2" eggs a day..
My husband rigged up a florescent light fixture on a timer to come on around 5 am and off at 7 am. I am now getting up to 4 dozen a day now.
We will take the lights down come spring time.
Florescent lights are low temperature and decrease the fire hazard. I recently introduced 12 or so additional hens to the egg pop. Hoping the added lighted day hours will help them with their production as well.

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Wow! 60? 2 eggs? I'd be lighting my coop too. With only 6 hens, I can get by with not getting eggs for a bit. If I had to feed 60, and get no eggs, that would be a huge problem. Still, I haven't gotten even a dozen over the last 4 mo. (the dreaded fowl pox followed by fall molt), so I've been tempted to make them earn that feed! I'm really trying to be patient, but it's hard.