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A follow up chicken question

rancherfred

Well-known member
I have had red lens heat lamps up in the coop for a couple of weeks now and we are starting to get about a dozen eggs a day. Still a pretty poor number since we have 30 hens but far better than the 4 or 5 that we were getting. I haven't had the chance to get the other lights up yet and they have started laying better. The temperature has moderated some, but I am wondering if it is possible that the light from the heat lamps is enough to make them start laying better.
 

Broke Cowboy

Well-known member
I will simply repost - it is solid and all that needs to be done

I will update that post and state the constant temperature essentially means they need to be warm - if you can keep that temp around 75 F or a little better you will be very happy - warmer is fine but not really required in your case.

Put a couple of lights in the coop that provide regular white light and put those lights on a timer - red light is ok but not good enough.

Or use white light heat lamps - still a stop gap measure but an improvement.

Keep them warm, give them light, feed them well and provide lots of clean water - they will lay

You are part way there

Cheers

BC

-----------------------------

While most of the experience I talk about comes from broilers that my wife was involved with - I can say this with a fair degree of certainty.

You need a constant temperature, good feed, clean water and controlled lighting to make any headway with birds. Free range may be nice - but they are not likely designed to do this AND lay eggs under the present conditions. Time for them to be indoors if you want eggs. Or leave them out if you are prepared to do the welfare thing until it warms up and the days get longer.

Yours are simply in survival mode - too cold, too dark and probably because of it they are not eating and drinking as they would normally - so - no eggs.

Warm them up, give them more than 16 hours of light and you will see a difference in their eating and drinking - and eggs will come.

Age is also a factor - you get them as chicks or birds?

Chicks - well they may be coming to the end depending on the breed and the living conditions..

Birds - they may have reached it.

Chicken soup or stew is the best and layers are tough to eat after roasting.

Yes older birds will lay - and lay well - they just need a bit more care.

Sounds like these might need it.

Good luck

BC
 

Denny

Well-known member
I would bet the electric will cost more than the eggs are worth. I'd just buy them in town and save the hassle.
 

Broke Cowboy

Well-known member
Denny said:
I would bet the electric will cost more than the eggs are worth. I'd just buy them in town and save the hassle.

Get enough eggs the sale price will help with that bill

Have to admit a fresh egg is a tasty treat

BC
 

burnt

Well-known member
Well I don't know why, but our hens are doing fine in this cold weather without any heat in their coop. Seven hens are laying five to seven eggs a day. They are in deep straw although they fly up on the roosts at night.

Quality of feed is a big deal.

Maybe they keep warm because the roosters chase them all day . . .
 

Denny

Well-known member
burnt said:
Well I don't know why, but our hens are doing fine in this cold weather without any heat in their coop. Seven hens are laying five to seven eggs a day. They are in deep straw although they fly up on the roosts at night.

Quality of feed is a big deal.

Maybe they keep warm because the roosters chase them all day . . .

I keep warm chaseing my hen around. Wonder what would happen if I caught her. :liar:
 

George

Well-known member
I don't understand the heat- - - - - We have always provided extra light in the winter months but the hens are rarely inside during the day - - - -good wind break provided by the hen house and good feed and heated water and still about 95% eggs per day.

The hen house is very tight so no drafts and they are closed in at night to prevent varmits - - - -good straw in the nests and good clean facilities but no supplemental heat. Make sure they get about 14 hours of light counting normal daylight by using cheap timers to light the house early and late as they will not lay without the light.

Any roosters that come with the hens soon go in the pot as they just cause problems but make good fried chicken.
 

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