Molting somewhat over, 1 egg today, will others follow suit?

[5j's]

I'm new to this. Here is the low down. I live in Massachusetts, 4 chickens close to 2 yrs old. ( RIR, Plymoth Rock, Silver laced Wyandote, black australop) First week we had them we were getting an egg or two a day. All went through a month of molting, and here we are at 5 weeks of having chickens. We have been getting cooler temps (down to 20 one night), given lay pellets and veg./ wheat bread scraps. 3 weeks ago I put a light on a timer to come on at 330 in morning to extend there day. No eggs for a month, but last couple of days in 50s for day temp, 30s at night. today it was 60 and rainy. We got an egg in the nesting box today!! Is this because the temps have warmed up ? Or are they coming out of there molt and soon we should see more eggs from these girls? Should I put fake egg in nesting box? Thanks for your comments!!

 

[calicokat]

Well, it could be yes to both things. The light probably helps (but be SUPER careful, just search threads for "burned down my coop"), and if the molt has finished that will help too. And it all depends on the chicken too. I used no light in my coop last winter and still got an egg everyday from 2 hens, but nothing all winter from 4 others. Then spring came and one of my "all winter" girls quit laying, just as the other 4 started *sheesh*!

Just keep lovin' them, feeding them and providing a safe home, they'll get with it. And I'd say, if you have one using the nest box, you might not need to bother with a fake egg or golf ball.

 

[5j's]

Good comment. Light is only 13 watts. For light only, not heat output.

 

[calicokat]

13 watts may not be enough to simulate "sunlight" - I have a 15 watt bulb in our coop that I just use as a night light for when I go out and tuck them in, etc.

I guess it would depend on how big your coop is, but maybe 60 watts would light it up better? I used 100 watts yesterday when I needed to see what I was doing after dusk -and they all got back up from bed and started walking around the coop and eating and stuff -- then I had to tuck them all back in for the night, LOL silly chickies!!

 

[5j's]

It is 13 watts, but produces equivelant to 40 watts. (sorry) Its an energy star bulb. Coop is 2ft x 4ft. It seems to light the place up pretty good.