Laying during molt

[chickens really]

It actually depends on the severity of the molt...I toss out Dry fish based Cat food during molt for my Chickens and Ducks...My Chickens usually begin to lay about 6 to 8 weeks after...

 

[speckledhen]

Younger hens in their prime often will lay, albeit at a reduced rate, during a molt. This varies with the breed. Some breeds never lay in winter no matter what, some just don't lay much when they are not in molt.
My first hatchery flock did lay like gangbusters, some took only two weeks off for their molts and got back to business-that is, until they were older. However, almost every one died of some reproductive malfunction. My breeder quality and heritage lines take more time off for their molts, generally, some two to three months, but most are pretty old, chicken-wise. I have about 20 hens who are 7,8,9,10 and almost 11 years old so they take a long, long, LONG break to molt if they still lay at all. By that age, the periods of laying and non-laying are reversed with them laying a few weeks and taking the rest of the year off. But, who would expect a 90 year old woman to do back flips, right? LOL.

All mine are on 22% layer feed, but in the early years of hatchery birds, they got the 16% stuff all the time, along with daily free ranging.

 

[aart]

Really hard to say.
She's an EE or...?
The higher protein and the lights will have an affect,
exactly what affect can be impossible to discern.
That's a lot of protein, do they also get lower protein snacks,
like scratch grains, fruit/veg?

I've used lights for 4 winters with very varied results,
but I also applied it in different ways and times.
Had some birds lay all winter and molt in spring.
Had some birds molt, stop laying but start back up sooner(I think).

 

[TheResidentialFarm]

Really hard to say.
She's an EE or...?
The higher protein and the lights will have an affect,
exactly what affect can be impossible to discern.
That's a lot of protein, do they also get lower protein snacks,
like scratch grains, fruit/veg?

I've used lights for 4 winters with very varied results,
but I also applied it in different ways and times.
Had some birds lay all winter and molt in spring.
Had some birds molt, stop laying but start back up sooner(I think).

Yep, she’s your average hatchery EE. The birds free range and eat a lot of grass and burdock leaves. They nearly always have a broken pumpkin to snack on as well as whatever they want from the compost pile (lots of garden refuse) and fallen fruit in the orchard. They also get some of the duck’s wheat either fermented with their crumbles or as scratch. I’ll start wheat fodder in a couple weeks as snow will be coming soon.

What is your favorite way to use lights so far? I think our current set up might be too successful... my younger set of pullets (RIR/RIW) are laying giant eggs at an alarming rate and I’m getting worried about health issues down the line.

 

[aart]

Yep, she’s your average hatchery EE. The birds free range and eat a lot of grass and burdock leaves. They nearly always have a broken pumpkin to snack on as well as whatever they want from the compost pile (lots of garden refuse) and fallen fruit in the orchard. They also get some of the duck’s wheat either fermented with their crumbles or as scratch. I’ll start wheat fodder in a couple weeks as snow will be coming soon.

What is your favorite way to use lights so far? I think our current set up might be too successful... my younger set of pullets (RIR/RIW) are laying giant eggs at an alarming rate and I’m getting worried about health issues down the line.

Sounds good.

Due to variety of ways I've applied light and the results.....no solid conclusions.
I've kept them at above 14 hours since early August this year because of late hatching pullets. Older birds all molted or are now, some have come back into lay....tho I haven't kept real close track.