It’s a fact, as the cold weather increases, chicken egg production decreases. Here are a few tried and true tricks that can be implemented this winter to increase your hen’s egg production.
1. Light – Fourteen hours of sunlight is required for your chicken to lay an egg. Winter daylight hours are not long enough to meet this requirement. Try adding a light bulb and a light timer to your chicken coop. Your chickens will not know the difference between artificial and real sunlight and will lay more eggs.
2. Heat – Warm your coop. Coop temperature should be consistently above 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Insulating your coop and obtaining a heat lamp are both good solutions.
3. Food – Diet is also an important factor in winter egg laying. Feeding your chickens a higher protein diet in the winter will help them stay warm during the coldest of months and help increase their egg production
4. Drink – Chickens need plenty of clean drinking water all year around. Keep your chicken’s water from freezing during the winter months by purchasing a heated waterer. You and your chickens will be happy that you did.
5. Safety – The simple fact is that hens will not lay if they feel unsafe. In the winter there is a greater chance of your birds being stalked. Make sure that your chickens feel safe from predators by securing the perimeter of their coop.
Laying eggs is hard work and you may wish to give your hens a rest in the winter. If this is the case, do not add the additional light but do continue providing your hens with all the other comforts suggested here. Your egg production will drop by 1/3 to ½ of your summer production but your hens will appreciate the break and the extra love and care.