Will Buff Orpingtons lay in the winter??

[Chicken_Hubster]

My flock is 10 Buff orpingtons. If i calculated correctly they should start laying around October/November. I was wondering if they would continue to lay through the winter since it is their first year and because they are cold hardy birds.

If anyone has BO's and could let me know that would be awesome.

P.S. I live in PA so we do get some pretty cold winters. Especially last winter, yikes.

 

[speckledhen]

Yup, mine sure do. Good girls. Sure, they slow down a bit, but they do fine. I don't add any artificial light to the coop to keep them going, either.

 

[Chicken_Hubster]

AWESOME. Yeah i don't want to add any light if i don't have to. Thanks for the reply.

 

[HennyJenny]

Mine laid through two blizzards and on darn near everyday below zero this winter( the eggs froze and exploded before I got to them though). It was their first winter though - I suppose they could wise up next year.

 

[Bantimna]

Jody (hinkjc) lives in PA, and has Orpingtons. That would be a good person to ask.
Otherwise I don't have any experinces.

 

[sacrifice]

When I had Orpingtons they always layed throughout the winter. I did add a small light for warmth when the temps went into the negatives, but other than that they were on their own. They did quite well.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I have four Buff Orps. Their first year (May through May), they laid eggs every season. The years thereafter they stopped laying in early Autumn due to molting. Then they resumed laying until November when the days became very short. They resumed in mid February when the days noticeably lengthened.

Right now they are 3 years old and between the four of them, I get one egg every other day.

 

[Chicken_Hubster]

Quote:
Hm.... That isn't very good production for only being 3 years old is it?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
You don't say! I've invited my hubby to have a strong word with the girls, but he's sweet on them and won't do it. I'm thinking of leaving a cleaver on top of their run this weekend...

 

[Chicken_Hubster]

HAHA, that may do the trick.