How to Keep Chickens Laying Through Winter

Fresh eggs are a valuable backyard commodity. Hens will start laying when it warms up in spring and lay a nice egg each all the way through the summer months. Winter, when a family most needs extra food to help keep warm, is eggless. However, there is a remedy that's not too difficult to set up that will keep those precious hens laying through winter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Heat lamp
• Timer
• Cayenne Pepper

Keep the Lights on for the Chickens

1. Install several lights at various points in your chicken coop to ensure the chickens get as much light as they would get naturally during the summer months. The lights can be set on a timer that allows them to stay on fourteen or fifteen hours to compensate for the extra hours of darkness of winter.

2. Spike the chicken waterers with cayenne pepper. This will give the chickens a warm feeling similar to summertime. This will encourage the chickens to lay eggs on a regular basis. All chickens will go through a molt where they lose all their feathers; however this will last for between 2 and 6 weeks, then they will continue laying.

3. Feed your chickens extra protein and plenty of egg laying crumbles. Well fed chickens stay healthy and therefore happier than underfed chickens. Although your chickens will probably lay one egg every other day, these eggs will be a blessing right when you really need extra food for your family.

4. Worm and delouse your chickens to keep them in tip-top condition and laying regularly. These items are readily available for purchase at your local feed store.

Resources

• Four Seasons of Chicken-Keeping
• The Language of Chickens & Watercress
• Oxford Times Online