Faith Farm

Chicken talk

I was just wondering if this has been a normal year for you chicken farmers?  I always expect a slow down in the winter months and a stop during molt-but this year my chickens quit laying all together for several weeks.  They have begun to lay again now-lightly-.  Everyone I talk to around here is having the same type of problem...Any ideas or suggestions.  I did the light thing and it helped. I've given the supl. and added more calcium and extra feed.  The weather has not been that unusual-no changes in anything major.  Its just not a normal chicken year....anyone else having this problem?  I appreciate any ideas.

blessings,

faithfarm

Untitled Comment

{ 12:00, Thursday, December 13, 2007 } { Posted by homesteadinthemaking }

We only have 10 chickens but they have slowed down to where we are only getting about 2 eggs a day. I figure it is the lack of daylight. I haven't put a light on them. Once in a blue moon, I don't get an egg. As this is our first time having chickens, I don't know if this is normal or not.
Blessings,
Trixi

Untitled Comment

{ 01:17, Thursday, December 13, 2007 } { Posted by stitchnchick }

Yep, we have the same issue and I just blogged about it this morning! It sounds like you are doing everything right, and the lighting should help. As long as your hens are not stressed or ill and have plenty of food and water, a slow down (or worse, a stop in production) is normal, this time of year. I'm looking forward to spring already! :o)

Amy

chickens

{ 05:45, Thursday, December 13, 2007 } { Posted by jodalton }

I have had chickens for about 30 years and the only thing that is normal about them is that nothing is normal. Last year they didn't slow down in production at all. This year in two days we went from 3 dozen eggs a day to 5 a day! I live in south east Utah and our weather hasn't been that drastic. All I can say is give them more daylight, via lamp, I keep my water heated, I feed alfalfa hay to help replace some of the nonexistant greens, this also gives them the fun of scratching through something,. The first year we moved to our homestead (30 years ago) our chickens roosted in the trees all winter and they laid all winter! So good luck and enjoy them they are quite interesting to watch. I always have a favorite or two. One latched on to my husband and every time he went out to feed she would come over and hop onto his boot, and of course he would drop some food in front of her. jodalton

Untitled Comment

{ 09:57, Thursday, December 13, 2007 } { Posted by PrairieLady }

I thought this year was unusual too. We live in Colorado (land of lots of sunshine, lol) but I still use lights for mine as well. Since they thought they didn't need to lay, I thought it would be a fine time to cull my flock (gave them to a friend on another farm who likes chickens) and only kept one rooster and two of the old ladies who are so old they are using a walker now - but only because we don't have any chicken wheelchairs, lol. I bought 25 Rhode Island Reds, 4 Auracana's, and now I'm just waiting for them to grow up give me some eggs! :D
Faye