Eggs in Winter

[Sue]

Hi
My three valiant hens have been laying all winter, not quite at full steam but at about 75%, now one of my allotment neighbours says he doesn't feed his hens layers pellets during the winter so they don't lay. (Doesn't feed them much at all as far as I can see, but that's another story).
Is this true? Mine have layers pellets and a lot of other things, should I have stopped the pellets, they all three seem very hale and hearty, they're hybrids by the way.
best wishes
Sue

[TPeers]

I haven't a clue! None of the books I have read recommend changing the diet over winter except to make sure they get a corn ration to keep them warm overnight. Certaintly mine (all five) are on layers pellet and seem none the worse for it.

I think we are down to about 50% production - but difficult to tell having added three hens last weekend, production could be off because of the readjustments in the pecking order rather than anything else.

[shirlthegirl43]

We used to feed layers pellets in summer (not so many veg peelings and such) and layers mash (hot brekkies with veg peelings and leftovers) in the winter. Egg production went down a bit in winter but to be honest I was too young to be interested by how much it went down.

[Akela Ben]

Why would you not feed layers pellets in the winter, this is when chickens need the food to help them through a cold winter. Layer pellets are made especially for chickens to have a balanced diet.

[Birdie Wife]

I agree, but I've heard the same from some of my neighbours - they reckoned there was something in the layers pellets that made hens lay so they fed corn in the winter to rest the birds - so I did some research - layers pellets contain everything a hen needs for a balanced diet all year round and there is no need to feed anything else. They do contain a fair amount of calcium which puts the birds in good condition for laying but they won't lay unless they want to - mine get layers all year round and I'm only getting on average 1 egg per day from 5 hens. In fact, it could be more dangerous to feed mixed corn by itself, as the birds might get too fat (they love it!) and risk getting egg bound. The rsik may be small, but it's not worth it in my view.

[kirsty b]

I also read somewhere that you don't need to take them off layers mash/pellets over winter as it is a complete year round diet for them. Mine haven't been laying at all until recently. Stopped for roughly 6 weeks. But then again, with some of the dark, dark days and crappy weather, who would blame them for having a rest.

[OverWyreGrower]

Mine have been on layers pellets since we got them. I wasn't advised to change this. The pellets can be made into a mash, but my chooks don't seem to like it soft!

They've always had a handful of corn last thing before bed and table scraps etc during the day.

However, mine are hybrids, that don't specifically have an "off-lay" period. In fact, we've carried on at pretty much the same ratio all through the autumn/winter so far.

[witch-1]

I feed my three layers pellets and am getting 3 eggs every two days - so they are laying on average 1 egg every other day each.

I have no problem giving them a rest from laying if needed, but would like to know what they need to be happy and healthy. (Struggle to get through the eggs we have already ). Giving them away already.

Jan
x

[Sue]

Oh, that's a relief, I'm wondering now if it was an excuse, those hens have an erratic diet at best, I've spotted oranges (!) bagels, crisps, white bread and pizza in their run over the last year.
I shall carry on as I am.
best wishes
Sue

[shirlthegirl43]

Oh, that's a relief, I'm wondering now if it was an excuse, those hens have an erratic diet at best, I've spotted oranges (!) bagels, crisps, white bread and pizza in their run over the last year.
I shall carry on as I am.
best wishes
Sue

Ours used to get all table scraps and stale bread - we kept a bucket in the kitchen for all the bits and bobs, boiled up all the spud and other veg peels but green veg was kept separate. When there was enough in the bucket in summer (daily in winter) hot water was bunged over it to give a mushy consistency then layers mash stirred in and the lot bunged in the trough. Best laugh was always corn cobs and spaghetti. Every weekend us kids had to go in and clear the leftover rubbish out of the run (we were able to bend under the 'roof' easier). They had their breakfast then got let out to free range in the afternoon if it was dry then in with corn in the evening.

[TPeers]

Can you imagine our kids doing jobs like that now? Hazel will feed them, and check for eggs - she will even, if pushed, agree she should help in cleaning out in theory - practice.... now that is another matter!

[shirlthegirl43]

Can you imagine our kids doing jobs like that now? Hazel will feed them, and check for eggs - she will even, if pushed, agree she should help in cleaning out in theory - practice.... now that is another matter!

I am afraid I am known as a 'victorian mum', the boys don't have to do many chores but they do have some and I refuse to do them for them unless it is their birthday or they are poorly.

[TPeers]

The only time she goes in the garden is when I put her in an arm lock and march her out there! She used to scream at us when she was little if we made her play in the garden! I used to be out all the hours I could - dragged in to do homework. I had my own plot in the garden at her age......

Pip on the other hand loves being out and doesn't understand why I won't let her skip lunch to go and play!

I know (Boy do I know) that they are both mine - but radically different!

[Paul Wagland]

Our two (chickens, not kids) also have layers' pellets every day - we hadn't even considered a seasonal diet, though in our defence we only got the girls on Boxing Day.

They get kitchen scraps, spinach or beetroot leaves and a handful of corn for variety (though it tends to be in the morning) and whatever they can wolf down when they get out of the run while I'm cleaning it!