Stopped Laying

[crazychickenman007]

Hey all!

This is my first fall and will be my first winter with my chickens. I’m in upstate NY, the days are getting shorter and colder quickly here (30s at night). My formerly second best layer hasn’t laid in about two weeks, she’s acting healthy and fine, I’m assuming because of the shorter days and temps? All my other hens are still laying though. I haven’t been supplementing light because I think the natural break is probably good for them. In your experience when do your hens start to take their winter breaks?

 

[sourland]

She looks to be in excellent condition. I'm guessing the shortened day light period has resulted in a break in her laying cycle.

 

[aart]

I’m assuming because of the shorter days and temps?

It's because of the shortening days,not the temps.

All my other hens are still laying though.

How old are these birds, in months?

Mine have stopped laying and started molting anywhere from late August to December.

 

[crazychickenman007]

It's because of the shortening days,not the temps.


How old are these birds, in months?

Mine have stopped laying and started molting anywhere from late August to December.

They’re about 7 months old so not ready for their first molt yet. Good to know some of yours have stopped early, we are getting less than 12 hours of sunlight a day so it makes sense

 

[crazychickenman007]

She looks to be in excellent condition. I'm guessing the shortened day light period has resulted in a break in her laying cycle.

Thanks for the input! I figured the same but as I’m still fairly new i wanted to make sure

 

[aart]

They’re about 7 months old so not ready for their first molt yet.

Some pullets will stop laying and/or have a partial molt their first fall/winter.

Good to know some of yours have stopped early, we are getting less than 12 hours of sunlight a day so it makes sense

That's my experience over the past 9 years.
The older birds often stop earlier and go longer without laying.
I do use supplemental lighting.

 

[crazychickenman007]

Some pullets will stop laying and/or have a partial molt their first fall/winter.


That's my experience over the past 9 years.
The older birds often stop earlier and go longer without laying.
I do use supplemental lighting.

Interesting! I didn’t know that they can molt their first fall/winter.

So I’m not opposed to supplemental lighting by any means. Is it beneficial for them to take a break or does it not really matter in your experience? Also do you make the lighting come on earlier in the morning and turn off at dusk? I’m just thinking they wouldn’t be able to find the roost if it’s dark out and the timer suddenly shuts the light off on them.

 

[Riptide360]

Start the morning light cycle early - 6AM. Set two timers for the evening cycle. One for the main lights and a second one set for 30 minutes later for a smaller "night light" so they have time to settle in.

 

[aart]

Interesting! I didn’t know that they can molt their first fall/winter.

So I’m not opposed to supplemental lighting by any means. Is it beneficial for them to take a break or does it not really matter in your experience? Also do you make the lighting come on earlier in the morning and turn off at dusk? I’m just thinking they wouldn’t be able to find the roost if it’s dark out and the timer suddenly shuts the light off on them.

I have it come on early.
They still get a break to molt and rest.
I used to be more aggressive with the lights and had birds molting in spring,
so now I don't crank it up until mid December.