Winter eggs?

[jjhere]

Obviously a question from a new chicken owner.

I realize production slows with shorter days, but do they totally stop laying in winter? I've a BO, BR, RIR and Ancona.

Just curious. We're not planning on simulating daylight in their coop.

Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Often chickens in their first year of lay will continue during the winter. Not always, but often. Almost always chickens a year old or older will go into a molt and quit laying. Some will still lay some, but usually not much. It is somewhat breed dependent. The Black Australorp has the reputation for continuiing to lay in the winter, for example.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
Short answer for those you have listed is "Yes, just not as often."

 

[kano]

All my pullets of about 20 to 28 weeks started to lay on June the 21, when winter arrives to the Southern Hemisfere. They have been doing that since then to now, spring time. And in Central Chile we had the coldest winter in 98 years, with many many nigths below zero.

 

[pwappers]

Our girls continue to lay through winter -- they are all 2.5 years old. At least they have the last couple years. We keep a heat lamp in the coop and let them range in the afternoon. It slows a bit, but still pretty good amounts.