Normal not to lay because of the cold?

[rubyrogue]

I have 5 pullets that were hatched the end of April. One had started laying in october then I think another one started laying middle of november. Then it got really really cold. Like average of 16 during the day single digits during the night and the eggs stopped. They have a nice coop with good ventalation no drafts lots of pine shavings and straw. There are 3 red sex links two of these are the ones that had started laying and stopped. And 2 americunas. Havnt seen an egg from them yet. but i know they are usually later than other breeds. Is it normal for them to delay laying due to the cold? They get 22% feed plus oyster shell which they eat like crazy. Tons of treats from the kitchen. Soaked alfalfa pellets a couple times a week. Oatmeal and I change out their water multiple times a day with luke warm water as it freezes pretty fast. I do not provide supplemental light or heat. Could it be because of the short days? I thought that a young pullet would lay regardless of the day length though I could be wrong. Any and all help greatly appreciated.

 

[jettgirl24]

If you're getting less than 12 - 14 hours of daylight that it likely your problem. Mine stopped laying as soon as we got down to 10 or 11 hours a day so I decided to supplement light so I've got a UV light on a timer in my coop... Comes on at 4PM and goes off at 9:30PM. My BO started laying again after about a week and a half. The other two laying-age girls decided to molt so it hasn't helped for them but it seems to be getting my pullets into gear, a couple of them are now doing the egg squat.

You can either supplement light to get them back in production or you can wait until the days get longer in Spring. Some people supplement but some prefer to let their hens rest. If you do a search you can find quite a few threads on this with good information from people on both sides. I would read up a little on supplementing vs. not and then decide which route you would rather take.

 

[Inkheart]

I agree - really it is the light more than the cold - i keep a light on longer and it helps - and there is some talk whether this works or not - but after adding Cayenne to the feed i noticed and increase in laying as well - some say it is simply an old wives tale!

 

[PepsNick]

The above is right. But read this. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=423023

 

[palochknldy]

Our 4 girls started laying in July/Aug. We were getting 4 eggs a day until time change. Since, we are getting anywhere from 1 to 4 a day. It will pick back up in the spring.

 

[NYRIR]

Mine were giving me about 10-12 a day.When the daylight got shorter..I got maybe 2.Now I'm getting like 1 today and eight tomorrow.The only lighting they have is two heat lamps with red bulbs...