When will they start laying again?

[Shaste]

This is my second winter with hens. First winter they mostly laid through the winter (their first winter laying). This year they stopped in October, and only one has picked back up.

They are on layer feed, get most of the day free range, not on lights or anything. Just wondering if there is any normal winter break period or if it varies by hen. Thanks!

 

[nuthatched]

Late February, to March. If they aren't laying, they shouldn't eat layer feed, it's too little protein abd too much calcium.

 

[The Good Grumble]

Not sure where your location is, but after molt it’s awhile before they pick back up. Daylight hours need to get a bit longer, and it gives the girls a much needed break to their reproductive system. They’ll be back laying full speed soon enough!

 

[Ruffled Feathers]

So your girls will need 12+ hours of light to start laying. Some say 14 hours or more but that hasn’t been my experience over the years.

It’s normal for first year girls (pullets) to lay all winter then get into the cycle of not laying over the winter. Each year I rotate in about a third new chicks and rotate out the older ones that have stopped laying. That way I have some eggs all winter.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I believe it depends on individual genetics, overall health, and the weather/daylight. But they should all be back up and running again in February-March. I just got my first egg of the year (from my 8-year-old Easter Egger) a couple days ago. The others will be soon to follow.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think it kind of depends on quality of light too. We have had a mostly sunny winter. I have had a few eggs all winter. I live in SW South Dakota, and the days are getting just a little longer, but I have a new pullet laying, and an older hen back into lay. The other ten are free loading.

But I am expecting more and more eggs in the next few weeks. February is the beginning of the end of the drought for me, this year, the end of January seemed to be enough.

Mrs K

 

[SkyAJK]

Layer feed is about 17% protein, I am wondering...
Can I mix layer feed with non medicate chick starter to add more protein to the laying hens?

Will more protein helps laying hen lay egg?

 

[Mrs. K]

Well you can do that, but it won't improve laying. Laying is caused by a hormone that is governed by light exposure. It is really not a feed issue.

More protein works best as birds are going into and out of molt. Which is growing new feathers, and not laying eggs at all. If daily needs are being met, as in not starvation, birds will lay eggs with enough light.

Check out supplemental light on here, and you will get lots of ideas, and if you add light, you do get consistent results.

Mrs K

 

[Shadrach]

This is my second winter with hens. First winter they mostly laid through the winter (their first winter laying). This year they stopped in October, and only one has picked back up.

They are on layer feed, get most of the day free range, not on lights or anything. Just wondering if there is any normal winter break period or if it varies by hen. Thanks!

Some pullets that mature at the start of winter may lay throughout the winter. Otherwise, most hens will commence egg laying in the spring, some earlier than others.
Giving extra protein won't get them laying any earlier. I've known hens lay eggs consistantly on 12% protein. I'm not suggesting that 12% protein is what you should be feeding them but 16% is adequate for all bar the high production hens.
As Mrs.K mentions,it's light levels that dictate egg laying, not how much protein they eat. The proof of this can be tested if one can be bothered by feeding a two year old hen 22% protein over the winter and see if she lays eggs.

 

[Shaste]

Thanks all for the advice! I'm happy to give them a break over winter so not looking to put them under lights or anything. But gosh it's been so nice to have even one egg a day it got me hopeful Good to know if shouldn't be much longer now! I guess the plus side is the non-layers hve tiny combs so less risk of frostbite?