If you’ve been raising chickens for a while, you already know very well that winter is a difficult time for them: they molt, their health becomes more fragile… and egg production drops rapidly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to encourage chickens to lay eggs in winter! So, how to do it? Can we encourage them to lay eggs naturally?
Why don’t chickens lay eggs in winter?
Do you know what “photoperiodism” is in laying hens? This is simply because the reproductive tract in birds is stimulated by light. To make it even easier, chickens need at least 12 hours of light per day to lay eggs. And in autumn and winter, when the length of the day is shorter and the natural light is much less, the egg-laying process is also significantly reduced. Shorter days and cooler temperatures are actually signals for the bird’s body to “rest” and regenerate. At the end of spring, the hen’s egg production begins to increase. But in the meantime, can we and how can we stimulate the chickens in the winter?
You can “recover” your birds to naturally prepare for the next laying season. But having only 1 or 2 fresh eggs a few times a week can be very frustrating… or none at all. That’s why you can stimulate chickens to lay eggs in winter using completely natural means.
To lay eggs, they need:
- At least 12 hours of light per day
- More calcium
- A well-balanced diet
- fresh water
Here’s what you can do in detail to speed up egg laying during the winter months:
Use light to increase egg production
To encourage chickens to lay eggs in winter, they, as you already understood, need more light. And if there is no natural light, you can give them artificial light. There is no need to install strong lamps, but rather lamps that imitate the natural light in their chicken coop, but you should leave them on for at least 12 hours a day.
Attention! Fluorescent light should be avoided!
What foods are there to stimulate hens to lay eggs in winter?
A balanced diet is important for laying hens! In winter, it needs more calories than in summer to keep warm and lay eggs. And during this season the flock doesn’t really have natural access to insects and fresh herbs, so it’s up to you to feed them a balanced diet. During less cold and dark periods, increasing the protein content of their daily diet to 18-20% can help. Sunflower seeds and nuts are a great idea to give them more energy.
- And what vitamin should you give them to get them to lay eggs?
In addition to protein, calcium is another essential element for your birds in the winter. You can give them crushed oyster shells to help them build stronger egg shells. Fresh or dried thyme, on the other hand, will help them stay healthy during these difficult times and improve the flavor of the eggs.
- Germinate the seeds
You can germinate barley seeds or wheat for your herd. how to do On an aluminum grill plate, place a thin layer of seeds of your choice. Make drainage holes and water daily. Place indoors in a warm, sunny location. When the seeds germinate, you can feed them to your laying hens daily. And it’s a great way to encourage your chickens to lay eggs while giving them the nutrients they need!
- Grandma’s Remedy Chicken Lays Eggs: Nettles
A trick that has been used since ancient times to induce laying of hens in winter is nettles. Indeed, it is one herb among others that is rich in nutrients for our feathered friends and can only do them good. To prepare it, you can dry it, cook it, boil it or puree it by mixing it with other foods. But beware! Even fresh, your chickens definitely won’t eat them if you don’t at least chop them up first.
Keep the pot warm
Have you read our article on how to heat a chicken coop in winter? Keeping your birds warm helps stimulate the hens to lay eggs over the winter. Be sure to insulate the chicken coop from drafts and avoid very low temperatures. That said, chickens don’t need a lot of heat so their bodies aren’t stressed by going out in the cold during the day.
Also Read: How to remove moss from a lawn?
Don’t forget fresh water every day
Did you know that leaving your birds without fresh water for even a few hours can reduce egg production? Fill their water bowl every morning and check on them throughout the day. And avoid freezing at all costs!
Also Read: How To Always Keep Grass In Chicken Coop?
