Topic Of The Week: Winter Egg Production: Challenges and Successes

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Egg production can slow down in winter, but some flocks still manage to keep laying. What techniques or routines help your birds lay consistently during colder months? Share your successes, challenges, and any creative solutions you’ve found!

 

[Icemaiden]

I let my girls have a natural break over the winter rather than providing artificial light. It's healthier for them.

 

[JesusChick]

I live in Texas and it is still in the 70's and 80's somedays. on the cold days they dont really lay much.

 

[chrismahon]

As Icemaiden says, it is best to let the hens naturally stop laying for a while, rather than force them to lay. Their health will benefit from the break.

We did try artificial lighting in the coop to extend the daylight hours. Of course this means putting food and water in there, so it needs a big coop to start with. They went to roost naturally as it became dark, otherwise they would be scrambling about on the floor and risk injury if lights went off suddenly in the evening. The lights came on at 4.00am and they then ate and drank for an extra 4 hours or so. But in such a small area they rapidly became bored and scratched up all the bedding, mixing it with poo, food and their water. The resulting mess required a complete clean out every day and simply wasn't worth the cost in wasted feed, new bedding and all the time spent for a few extra eggs.