This is our first winter with hens. I am relieved to hear that others have stopped laying as well. we have 11 laying hens, one of which is brooding, and we are currently getting one or two eggs a day. They are laying just inside the coop door, even though we have four nest boxes. I am thinking our broody wont let the others near the boxes.
I have considered that, the weather, the shorter days, hiding (I have looked everywhere they have access), and even an egg eater in the bunch. I may start penning one at a time up to see if this maybe the case. Earlier in the fall we did have a couple of days we notice yolk on the coop floor - no sign of shells anywhere. I thought maybe a shell less egg or two had been layed and upped the calcium in their diet - no more yolks where found. But now I really wonder.
Any ideas?
I have considered that, the weather, the shorter days, hiding (I have looked everywhere they have access), and even an egg eater in the bunch. I may start penning one at a time up to see if this maybe the case. Earlier in the fall we did have a couple of days we notice yolk on the coop floor - no sign of shells anywhere. I thought maybe a shell less egg or two had been layed and upped the calcium in their diet - no more yolks where found. But now I really wonder.
Any ideas?