Why do chickens lay poorly in winter, what to do and how to feed for better egg production

Many farmers wonder: why don’t chickens lay eggs in winter? Every household owner wants to have eggs throughout the whole year. However, this requires the fulfillment of a number of conditions. To increase the productivity of birds in winter, it is worth choosing the optimal temperature regime, controlling the length of daylight hours, and providing the birds with proper nutrition.

Possible reasons why chickens may stop laying eggs in winter

A decrease in the productivity of chickens in winter is considered a completely natural process for many birds. Egg breeds do not lay eggs well. The seasonal factor affects the biological rhythms of chickens indoors. However, the farmer may well influence the functioning of the birds’ bodies. To do this, you need to take into account unfavorable factors that lead to a decrease in egg production.

Water scarcity

Chickens cannot lay eggs when there is a lack of fluid. This is due to the lack of reserves for the formation of proteins and yolks. It is important that the drinking bowl is always filled. Be sure to monitor the purity of the water. If the liquid is rotten, the birds try not to drink it.

On average, a chicken drinks 1 glass of water per day. At elevated temperatures the amount doubles. It is advisable that the liquid be cool - about 15 degrees. Otherwise, there is a risk of disruption of thermoregulation.

Air temperature

Low temperatures lead to a decrease in egg production. In a cold room, more serious problems may appear - pneumonia, rhinitis and other pathologies. Therefore, in winter, the chicken coop must be insulated.

Light mode

For chickens, the length of daylight is of great importance. Birds rise with the first rays of the sun, and go to bed with the last. In summer, daylight hours last long enough, and therefore there is no need for artificial lighting. As the day length decreases, chickens need additional lighting.

From February, the length of the day increases significantly, and additional lighting is not required.Proper lighting and insulation of the chicken coop will help to get a sufficient number of eggs in winter.

Stressful situations

To produce a lot of eggs, chickens must be as calm as possible. If the birds have been moved to a new location, they will not lay eggs for the next 2 weeks. Stress can also be caused by the introduction of new birds, sharp sounds, or a change in walking area.

Sometimes the reason for the lack of eggs is a lack of food. Prolonged fasting also poses stress to the body.

Fatigue

If productivity decreases, normal fatigue can be suspected. In this case, the chicken rests for several days, after which egg production is restored. There is no need for additional stimulation.

Diet

In winter, chickens do not receive succulent green food. In such a situation, they experience a deficiency of certain vitamins. This provokes a decrease in chicken productivity.

Change in egg laying

Sometimes the absence of eggs does not indicate difficulties with egg production. Some chickens spontaneously transfer eggs to another location, which can be very difficult to find. In this way, birds try to protect their offspring.

Seasonal molt

The period of changing feathers requires significant energy expenditure. In such a situation, the birds do not have the strength to produce high-quality eggs. Seasonal molting occurs in October and March. This is a natural process that cannot be influenced. The appearance of eggs will resume after the feather renewal process is completed.

Diseases

Reduced productivity can be observed with various diseases. Viruses are especially dangerous for chickens. They can lead to decreased productivity over a long period of time.

If the disease cannot be cured, the birds should be destroyed. If therapy is possible, birds are given medications.Eggs should not be consumed until the drugs are eliminated from the body. To prevent problems, it is recommended to vaccinate chickens on time.

How to treat

To cope with the problem of a winter decrease in egg production, it is worth taking timely measures.

Nutrition

For better egg production, it is worthwhile to properly formulate the diet of chickens. To increase the productivity of birds, it is recommended to include the following products in the diet:

• corn - its grains should be crushed using a crusher;
• wheat - includes many vitamins, proteins and microelements;
• oat and wheat bran;
• oats – contains a lot of fiber;
• rye, buckwheat, millet;
• legumes, sunflower seeds.

To replenish mineral reserves in the body, it is worth giving chickens table salt, ash, chalk, and sand. To improve digestion, use fine gravel.

Vitamins

Ready-made combined feeds contain multivitamin components. If you make food yourself, you should definitely take care of a sufficient amount of vitamins in the chickens’ diet:

• vitamin A – present in carrots, cabbage, dandelion leaves;
• vitamins B3 and B12 – found in dairy products;
• vitamin E – present in green grass, especially nettles;
• vitamin B2 – found in beets and greens;
• vitamin B6 – present in meal and sunflower cake.

B vitamins are also present in fish and meat and bone meal. They are found in sprouted wheat and barley. Every 3-4 days it is recommended to add fish oil to the birds’ food.

When to contact a veterinarian

With large crowding and an impressive number of laying hens, the likelihood of developing infections increases. To prevent epidemics, it is worth performing vaccination and deworming.

In small flocks of birds, it is recommended to strictly observe the rules of hygiene and adhere to the regime. The following pathologies are considered especially dangerous:

• psittacosis – damage to the respiratory system;
• infectious bronchitis;
• mycoplasmosis is a complex pathology that is dangerous for people and birds;
• salmonellosis - contaminated eggs pose a danger to humans.

Preventive actions

To avoid a decrease in egg production, it is worth following the necessary preventive measures.

Feed

In winter, chickens require energy-intensive feed. Cereal crops are best suited for this purpose. In summer, it is recommended to do the following:

• prepare a sufficient amount of wheat, oats, barley;
• purchase a grain crusher;
• buy sunflower cake;
• purchase high-quality feed;
• stock up on green grass;
• prepare shell rock and gravel;
• prepare fish and meat and bone meal.

In winter, chickens should be fed three times a day. It is recommended to give them a mixture of grains in the morning. For lunch, use wet mash. It is made from boiled potatoes and chopped root vegetables with the addition of sunflower cake. In the evening, use whole grains.

Cause of winter egg pecking

The key cause of the problem is considered to be protein deficiency in the body. This is due to the lack of a balanced diet. To replenish protein deficiency, it is worth adding fish and meat and bone meal to the diet. The mash should be diluted with yogurt or whey.

If the chicken still pecks at the eggs, this indicates the development of a habit. To avoid spreading the problem, it should be isolated from other birds.

Lighting

To increase the length of daylight hours, artificial lighting must be used. Daylight hours should last 14-16 hours.To achieve such indicators, infrared lamps are hung in the chicken coop. Be sure to fully illuminate the area of ​​feeders and drinkers. In this case, the lighting in the area of ​​the nests should be dim.

Drinking bowls and walking

In winter, chickens need enough water. It is important to prevent it from freezing. During the cold season, food contains a large amount of dry ingredients. To digest food, liquid is required.

It is important that the water temperature is comfortable for the birds. Its temperature should be 10-14 degrees.

This will help you spend energy on digesting food rather than heating your body.

The presence of an enclosure for walks in winter is of no small importance. You need to make a canopy over it. Also, the site should be protected from bad weather on all sides. To prevent birds' feet from freezing, it is worth using bedding.

It is important to place boxes filled with sand or ash in this area. Chickens can bathe in them, which will help get rid of feather parasites.

In winter, chicken productivity inevitably decreases. This is due to physiological processes in their body. To increase egg production rates, you need to provide birds with proper care.