winter laying!

[cookielove45]

so I got my chickens in June, they are only a month old right now. I was told that they start laying when they are 6 months old. December will be when they turn 6 months old. I have never had chickens before, and I was told that they don't lay in the winter, or some lay in the winter... so will my chicken start laying in the winter or will I have to wait for warmer weather?

 

[Blooie]

Nothing in chickens is 100%, except for pooping. <sigh> But many first year layers didn't get the memo that they are supposed to slow down or stop in winter and lay pretty well through at least that first winter. I know mine did. Some folks have lights on timers that simulate 14 hours of daylight to encourage laying, since that's based on the day/night lengths. I prefer not to do that - I think they have worked hard for 3 seasons and need and deserve that time off. Yet I still had a steady supply of eggs from my girls, and it was their first year. They started laying in July, and got serious and regular about mid-August, so mine had already been laying before winter set in. I'm sure this winter I'll experience the normal slow down and it won't be like last year, but that's okay with me.

It's up to you whether to use the lights or not. Since yours are so young, haven't reached point of lay yet, and aren't expected to until December, you can still count on some eggs. They'll probably kick it into high gear in the spring, though! Of course, as I said, nothing in chickens is 100% except poop!

I do hope yours do very well for you!