How is everyone laying hen doing this winter? We have had bout 50+ inches of snow and my girls don't like it to much pretty much stay in the coop,which is getting lots of poop build up under their roast.I try to keep some of there yard clean up of snow even throw some corn out there still reluctant to venture out.they are doing quit well though all healthy.lay a few egg everyday enough for my breakfast
We keep them in the coop for the winter. Even if you leave the door open they will not try to get out this winter. We give them cheap hotdogs and cabbage once in a while and they keep laying the eggs.
My girls wouldn't go out so I just kept the hatch closed all winter. Lately the temps have been decent out so they're enjoying the fresh air. The laying tapered off this winter but has sprung back up these past few weeks. 'Their coop is insulated so they stay pretty well. It has 2 windows plus a glass door so they get lots of light too.
I'm averaging 8-12 eggs a day out of 15 hens. It spikes if we have a few warmer days but even when it got down to the single digits the girls still gave me about 8-10 a day. My biggest problem in the real low temps was the eggs freezing and splitting.
I just hatched out 35 youngins that I'll feed out and take to auction in a few weeks.
Yea but what about the times I go through the drive thru and don't have pants on?---Maritimer
Ours were having the winter blues and not producing much at all. Gave them some beaver fleshing scraps and their egg production doubled. The weather got a bit nicer so I am sure that helped but the extra protein really gave them a much needed boost. Our young chicks should be old enough to start laying in another 3 weeks or so.
2014-15 Trapping Season
1 bobcat
6 coons
2 yote
21 grinner
1 beaver
14 mice
2 Stinker