Winter eggs?

[Annasg]

Can someone tell me if chickens stop or slack on their egg laying during the winter? And what are the signs of a chicken that is hatching in the springtime?

 

[Flock Master64]

Yes they usually do stop or slow down in the winter. Chickens need about 15 hours of light to lay an egg. Signs of egg hatching are when they go broody and their body temperature rises and they won't get off there nest very much and they squawk pretty loud if you get too close to them.

 

[Annasg]

Would it be wise to put a timer on the lights? Would that help them to lay steadier?

 

[lazy gardener]

Unless I had a very steady routine, I'd not use a light without using a timer. If the lighting is inconsistent, it can mess with their cycles, even to the point of throwing them into an unplanned molt. Do a thread search for lighting, and you should find plenty of threads that will get you going. Generally, you increase the light a bit each week until the birds are up to 12 - 14 hours/day. (I'd increase 1 hour/week.)

 

[Annasg]

Thank you so much Lazy Gardener. I have it all set up but I did not know about the graduating light. So I will unplug tonight and reset tomorrow and give them 5 extra minutes each day. I am new to this. Thank you so much.