Quit Laying and Cayenne Pepper

[aisle22]

Hello!
First post here, but I have a real head scratcher. I have six chicks, got them freshly hatched last February. They started laying in June-July, and in November, the two easter eggers quit laying (temps hit about 40s). Now, temps have gotten cold, as they do here in Denver- but we've also had 50 degree days. But I haven't seen any eggs for weeks. Zero. Nada. It's like once it got cold, they decided they were done. And even though we've having great weather- they haven't laid any more....

I did see that using ground cayenne pepper can help get them laying again- but I didn't find very good instructions on how to use it. Any advice here would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

They'll start laying next month.

 

[enola]

Nothing works better than proper nutrition, clean water 24/7 and enough daylight hours. Hens that take a break over winter, will begin laying in late January or in February.

 

[mortie]

It isn't so much about the temp but the length of daylight. The days are getting longer now so your egg production should pick up in the next few weeks.

 

[darina]

I second what enola and mortie said. They will lay when it's time.

As for the pepper, some days I give my chickens the red pepper flakes, I just sprinkle it right on the ground and they gobble it up as soon as they see it. I do about a tablespoon, but they act like they would eat more.
I got my chickens in May, and they started laying in October. One of them for sure has stopped, and another never started. I use a light that comes on at 4 am.

If you want to read more about the pepper, here is a thread where I found my some info:https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...e-your-hens-lay-like-its-spring-in-the-winter

 

[darina]

By the way aisle22, WELCOME!!!!! First post, yay!!!