A few years ago we decided that since we live in Idaho and since we want our chickens to keep us in fresh eggs all year long, we were definitely going to have to learn how to keep them laying through the winter.
We were new to keeping chickens but already suspected that they would produce less eggs in the colder months. I mean, it just makes sense that they’d not want to be hatching chicks in a time that probably wouldn’t let babies survive long. But we weren’t sure what to expect.
That first year as soon as the temperatures dropped and the days got shorter, their egg production dwindled to nothing within a short time. We ended up buying eggs from the natural grocer that year while still paying to feed our laying hens until spring!
Not exactly cost effective, right?
So as we approached the next winter we turned to the experts over at BackyardChickens.com. They have an article all about keeping your girls laying through the winter and we knew they wouldn’t steer us wrong.
Adding additional light triggers the endocrine system into action, causing them to produce more eggs. Continuously giving chickens light in the winter fools their bodies into thinking that the days aren’t getting shorter at all.
BackyardChickens.com
We took their advice about using a red light (and also about being safe running electricity out to the coop!). It’s been three winters since we did this and every year we get a steady flow of eggs every single day, regardless of the weather outside.
We give our girls plenty of extra food and water and they reward us heartily…
It’s brilliant!
So if you’re like us and you want your lovely little (or big) hens to keep you in omelettes and deviled eggs from October to April, you’ll definitely want to check that article out.
God bless and happy homesteading!
Empty Nest Homesteading 
hello, thanks for visiting my blog. I’m here to return the visit, and because I’m curious ^^ I’m also a hen owner. Our hens must be the exception to the rule because they seem to lay all year round, whatever the weather. We live in France, and in winter days are shorter, with daylight around 8am and then evening falling around 5pm in December, but not until 6pm now we’re in February. Granted, they don’t lay every single day during the winter, but we haven’t had to resort to buying eggs.
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Hi Claire! That is amazing, I wonder if it’s a temperature thing? Our winters can get mighty cold up here by Yellowstone. Our huskies love it, but the chickens not so much lol. Thanks for stopping by!
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I don’t know. We get below freezing temps here in the winter, had snow in January too, but was quite mild in December and we’ve got constant rain at the moment so it’s not very cold. ^^ Our hens don’t like August when temps get really hot (39°C last year) and they’re more likely to stop laying because it’s too hot rather than it being too cold.
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Well there goes my theory haha. 🙂
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Just saw your post with huskies in snow – our snowfall was nothing like that lol. I reckon your theory still stands!
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I’m sure your hens deserve the red carpet treatment for producing these lovely eggs, but who cleans it?
Nice to make your acquaintance and I look forward to reading more about broody hens and life with the chicks.
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I miss having chickens
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