Laying in the winter?

[sarabeth53]

I just recently bought 3 hens from a poultry show and I have been told that they lay and are of the right age to lay. My friend's hens are already laying in this cold and dark weather! It's starting to get warmer though, but I haven't gotten a single egg from any of my chickens since SEPTEMBER!

What can I do to get them to start laying again? One of my hens has been bred and I need her eggs soon before the roo's stuff runs out!

 

[gritsar]

You can try adding light, 14 hours a day is the total they need between natural and artificial. However, it might take a few days to a few weeks before that would kick in. As the days are already getting longer, the point might be mute. They should start laying again soon.

 

[cybercat]

Most likly you will have to get roos for them. Show chickens do Not lay as much as regular chickens. They tend to be infrequent layers at best for they are not bred for laying but there body type and feather quality.

 

[sarabeth53]

Thanks! We have a light in there now so that they get an extra couple hours of light each day. Thanks again, and I hope they start laying again soon!