Laying in winter

[ChickenAcres]

My chickens will be 20 weeks old in November. By then days will be shorter and I don't plan on adding any extra light. Should I expect a few eggs or nothing at all until the spring?

 

[QueenMisha]

They may be a bit late to lay, but I'd definitely expect eggs before spring. I'd say they'll likely start laying between December and January.

 

[PingoBags]

From what I gather from reading through the forum, new chickens will lay through the winter regardless of using artificial light or not.
The following winter you would either need to have light to keep production up or let them rest and molt without using light.

I guess that's one reason people have rotating flocks. Mine will be laying this winter and if I want to rest them next year, I'll need to get some new chicks this spring. I'll probably get or hatch some next spring regardless what I choose.

 

[ChickenAcres]

Awesome! Thank for the info.

 

[chickens really]

This is what I do...Only stating what works for me....
I live in central Alberta and it gets very cold here...I heat my coop during the winter once the temp hits -10 C.
I use a red 250 watt bulb...My pullets all start laying, and continue to lay all winter long.....I have a window in my coop so they get natural lighting during the day..I also regardless of the temp outside allow them out into the run...

Hope this helped...

 

[ChickenAcres]

It does! I am in southern Alberta so the winter is going to be cold too.