Point of lay pullets not laying in winter, any suggestions? 🙏🏼😊

[Tumbleweedlynn]

One of my 15 just started laying, at 28 weeks. It’s maddening

 

[hannahsocal]

One of my 15 just started laying, at 28 weeks. It’s maddening

What breed??

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

What breed??

EE, RIR, Orpington, CLB, Cemani, Plymouth

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Oh really? Okay, at what temp should I put supplemental heat in then to make them think it’s spring?

In SoCal you should NEVER need supplemental heat. Fully feathered chickens' body temp is about 104°, so adding heat when it's already fairly warm (50° is more than warm enough) could stress them and actually deter them from laying. It isn't the weather/temp that signals Spring to chickens, it is the number of daylight hours they are getting.

From winter solstice to summer solstice the daylight hours are getting longer and longer. Hens need about 14 -16 hrs (ish) of light for peak laying. So, when the hours of daylight reach that point, through Spring and Summer, you'll likely see the most eggs.

Some people supplement *light* (typically in the a.m.) in order to stimulate egg production in winter months. But, since this is your pullets' first winter they may lay at any time, whether you supplement light or not.

 

[SueT]

So supplemental lighting helps then? Maybe I should put light in the coop too and not just the run. My pullets are doing nesting behavior right now (sitting and starting to make nests, finding spots to lay in, squatting for the boys) so it SEEMS like they’re ready. Idk

No, I’m not saying to give them supplemental light, I don’t even know if one can provide the sort of rays needed. What I’m saying, is relax, they’ll lay when they lay, it will be okay whether it’s sooner or later….
And maybe yours are a breed that lays in winter. Let us know, keep us updated!

 

[nuthatched]

Oh really? Okay, at what temp should I put supplemental heat in then to make them think it’s spring?

Let them be the temperature of the outside, they don't need any heating unless it gets down the single digits.
They'll likely start in few weeks as days get longer. Chickens live of spite, don't worry.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I have several point of lay chickens that were supposed to start laying within the last 2-3 weeks and they aren't yet. I figured it's the lack of sunlight. I'm hoping that as the days get longer, they will start laying. I have a Black Sumatran, Colombian Wyandotte, Cookies and Cream, and a Cream Legbar all not laying yet. The Golden Cuckoo Marans and the Fibro Easter Egger in that flock are laying.

 

[aart]

So supplemental lighting helps then? Maybe I should put light in the coop too and not just the run. My pullets are doing nesting behavior right now (sitting and starting to make nests, finding spots to lay in, squatting for the boys) so it SEEMS like they’re ready. Idk

Yes, it's the length of day light and has nothing to do with temperature.
Do they always have access to the run where the lights are?
What kind of lights and are they on a timer?
The nesting behavior is a good sign, you still may have to be patient.

 

[hannahsocal]

Yes, it's the length of day light and has nothing to do with temperature.
Do they always have access to the run where the lights are?
What kind of lights and are they on a timer?
The nesting behavior is a good sign, you still may have to be patient.

Yes they always have run access! They’re just white outdoor lights. No timer but I usually shut them off around 9pm.

 

[aart]

No timer but I usually shut them off around 9pm.

Do they go to roost when the sun goes down, before the light is turned off?

A timer is pretty important, IMO.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.