Stella's Social Club

[showinbirds]

Hi I'm just wondering if there is any ways to get my hens to start laying again as they stopped for the winter and I would like to know how to help them start again thanks !

Chickens need more light in a day than winter provides. I don't remember the exact amount, but I think 12 hours. I do know a 25 watt bulb is enough light.

 

[ronott1]

Chickens need more light in a day than winter provides. I don't remember the exact amount, but I think 12 hours. I do know a 25 watt bulb is enough light.

Daylight hours are increasing now.

Some swear by giving the a teaspoon or so of red pepper flakes each day.

 

[craftiekids]

She did, in fact she was his "mom" while he was in his laundry basket she would cuddle up to him, clean him and keep him warm. I think he did so well because of her mothering.... I give her full credit... My twins also were big time "mommies" to him, they gave him bottles, cleaned him up and cried when we let him go. They loved that he comes back to visit now and then but they understand he's a wild thing even though we love him.. And our ducklings would chase him where ever he went.. Thank you! Susie Q

 

[craftiekids]

To get them laying again is easy, put a light on a timer in your coop. Most chickens will respond well if you extend the "daylight" just a bit. It's the simplest thing to try. My Light Brahmas lay all winter long but that's the breed, even they can slow down during the shortest days of winter. Hope it works.... Don't know if red pepper works or not.. Susie Q

 

[ronott1]

To get them laying again is easy, put a light on a timer in your coop. Most chickens will respond well if you extend the "daylight" just a bit. It's the simplest thing to try. My Light Brahmas lay all winter long but that's the breed, even they can slow down during the shortest days of winter. Hope it works.... Don't know if red pepper works or not.. Susie Q

If you start them now, they may slow down in Spring. I start lights in November in one coop to keep laying up so that I don't need to buy eggs in the store.

They will start up again in week or so on their own.

It is time to treat for worms if needed though.

 

[The Sheriff]

Just went out and put the hold-outs onto roosts. Hopefully we won't have to anymore after a few days. Holdouts are four Icelandic's and an olive egger.

Look how well the nests I built for the emus are working.

No respect.

 

[chiqita]

He's handsome, Mary, the new guy and Bjorn, too.
We got another lamp fixture and another 250 red heat bulb in case the one on a critical area goes out, aka, old arthritic hens or the tiny bantams. Our prediction is for icy rain tomorrow, then low of about 15, then on Monday, it doesn't go up, only drops down to about 0* or lower. So, it will be wet, then plummet to arctic cold. I hope my older birds survive this. I don't heat my coops, but I do give heat spots to certain groups. No need for them to suffer for some principle. My almost 7 yr old BR hen, Amanda, can barely walk on a good, warm day with her severely arthritic joints so this must be very painful for her. The least I can do is give her a warm lamp to sit under.

That's a beautiful thing to do. Susie q that is an awesome story too.
I'm sending warm thoughts to you all in the path of the frigid weathet.

OK after 2 days so use vide I'm digging it. So far it's been hamburgers flat iron steaks and fajitas. It does take longer but not worrying about paying attention to burning or time . Plus it's perfect every time. I'm gonna get fat!

 

[mlm Mike]

Just went out and put the hold-outs onto roosts. Hopefully we won't have to anymore after a few days. Holdouts are four Icelandic's and an olive egger.

Look how well the nests I built for the emus are working.

No respect.

Either a cute goat or truly deformed Emu, I'll let historians decide.

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm sure I know that goat, doesn't she usually have her head stuck in the gate? Laverne???

 

[Happy Chooks]

Hi I'm just wondering if there is any ways to get my hens to start laying again as they stopped for the winter and I would like to know how to help them start again thanks

!

In addition to what everyone else said - give them high protein treats too. Meat scraps, mealworms, etc. Some of mine have started back up again.

My daughter is playing outside with our little orphan Rudolph. My husband is the Forester over the Sandhills Gamelands in Richmond county NC. He trains and fights forest fires in the Gamelands and all over NC. He also trains forest fire fighters and monitors the trees & endangered species that live there. He was at his office in the woods and a lady came by with this little buck fawn whose mother had been hit in the road nearby. She didn't know what to do with him so my husband took him home for us to raise. I rescue horses, ponies, wild critters and keep a few chickens & ducks so he knew a fawn would be really cool for the twins and I. Rudy even tried nursing on our dog Piglet! She had just finished nursing a batch of pups so you should have seen her jump when he hit that nipple! It was really amazing how tame this wild creature became.

He also got great at navigating around our kitchen!

and Boy did our dog Piglet jump when he hit that nipple!
He loved playing outside with our twins and our dog Piglet..... He was a wonderful little man who got released onto the thousand acres of farm land behind our house. He came back a few times after we let him go and we still see him once each week or two with another bunch of young deer playing........ Thank you so much for asking! He was a true blessing for us! Susie Q

What a wonderful story! What little girls wouldn't love a pet deer? I'm glad he still comes to visit you.

Just went out and put the hold-outs onto roosts. Hopefully we won't have to anymore after a few days. Holdouts are four Icelandic's and an olive egger.

Look how well the nests I built for the emus are working.

No respect.

Troublemaker!

I'm sure I know that goat, doesn't she usually have her head stuck in the gate? Laverne???