Ok, all you guys worrying about this. It's fall. They molt. Every year. The feathers fall out. They either stop laying or slow way down. If you give them extra protein, they get through it a little faster. When the nice new shiny feathers grow in, they'll soon be back to normal.
It's a good time to clean the coop, de-bug if needed, and get everything all nice before the cold weather really sets in.
Most breeds will lay through the winter, (after molting is over) even without extra light, unless you are far enough north that they get less than 8 hours, then you might put a light on a timer, but you really don't have to have 14 hours of light to get eggs. Maybe for maximum eggs, but ya know, nature has reasons for slowing things down in the winter.
If you have broody types like I do, you may find you actually get more eggs in the winter, because you won't have half your hens out on maternity leave all the time.
If you have young pullets just getting to laying age, they may or may not molt, egg laying may be slightly delayed. Calm down. You don't need to give up and eat them. Relax, read some books about chickens, and be patient.
It's a good time to clean the coop, de-bug if needed, and get everything all nice before the cold weather really sets in.
Most breeds will lay through the winter, (after molting is over) even without extra light, unless you are far enough north that they get less than 8 hours, then you might put a light on a timer, but you really don't have to have 14 hours of light to get eggs. Maybe for maximum eggs, but ya know, nature has reasons for slowing things down in the winter.
If you have broody types like I do, you may find you actually get more eggs in the winter, because you won't have half your hens out on maternity leave all the time.
If you have young pullets just getting to laying age, they may or may not molt, egg laying may be slightly delayed. Calm down. You don't need to give up and eat them. Relax, read some books about chickens, and be patient.
