Keeping Chickens Laying Through Winter: Your Autumn Preparation Guide

As the days grow shorter and temperatures begin to drop, many chicken keepers notice a decline in their flock's egg production. This natural response to seasonal changes doesn't mean you must resign yourself to months without fresh eggs. With proper preparation beginning in autumn, you can maintain steady egg production throughout the winter months.

Understanding the Seasonal Decline

Chickens naturally reduce egg laying when daylight hours decrease. This biological response occurs because:

• Hens require approximately 14-16 hours of light to maintain optimal egg production
• The pineal gland in a chicken's brain responds to daylight, regulating hormone production
• Reduced light triggers molting (feather replacement), during which laying typically pauses

By understanding these natural rhythms, you can implement strategies to counteract winter's effects on your flock.

Autumn Preparation: Setting the Foundation

Coop Assessment and Weatherproofing

Begin your winter preparations by thoroughly inspecting your coop in early autumn:

• Seal any gaps or cracks that could create drafts
• Check that ventilation remains adequate (moisture buildup is a bigger problem than cold)
• Ensure roosts are positioned away from windows or areas prone to drafts
• Install weather stripping around doors and windows
• Consider adding insulation to walls and ceiling, being careful to cover with predator-proof material so chickens cannot peck at it

A well-ventilated but draft-free coop provides the ideal balance for winter health and egg production.

Bedding Strategies for Warmth

The deep litter method proves particularly effective for winter management:

1. Begin building deep litter in early autumn by adding a 10 - 15 cm base layer of pine shavings, straw, or dried leaves
2. Rather than completely cleaning out bedding, add fresh material regularly
3. Turn the bedding weekly using a garden fork
4. Allow natural decomposition to generate heat from below

This approach provides:

• Natural floor insulation
• Reduced coop moisture
• Supplemental heat through decomposition
• Enrichment through scratching and foraging

By spring, you'll have excellent compost material for your garden as a bonus.

Nutrition: The Winter Diet Adjustment

Autumn is the time to gradually transition to a winter feeding program:

Protein Requirements

• Increase protein content to 18-20% during molting to support feather regrowth
• Consider black oil sunflower seeds, mealworms, or commercial protein supplements
• Once new feathers grow in, maintain slightly higher protein levels than summer

Caloric Density

• Introduce more calorie-dense foods as temperatures drop
• Offer scratch grains in the evening (corn provides excellent warming energy)
• Consider making suet cakes with rendered fat, seeds, and dried fruits

Essential Supplements

• Ensure continuous access to calcium through oyster shell or crushed eggshells
• Provide grit for proper digestion
• Consider a vitamin supplement in water during periods of reduced foraging such as Anitone or Vetafarm Mutivet

A proper winter diet supports not only egg production but overall immune function and health.

Lighting Systems: The Key to Winter Laying

Supplemental lighting represents the single most effective strategy for maintaining winter egg production:

• Install a 40-60 watt bulb (or equivalent LED) in the coop
• Use a timer to provide 14-16 total hours of light daily
• Add morning light rather than extending evening hours (this maintains natural roosting patterns)
• Introduce additional lighting gradually in early autumn as daylight decreases
• Ensure wiring is chicken-proof and fire-safe

Modern solar options with timers make this practical even for coops without electricity.

Hydration: The Overlooked Essential

Water intake directly correlates with egg production. Prepare for winter by:

• Installing heated waterers or bases before first frost
• Creating a sheltered watering station to reduce exposure
• Providing slightly warmed water in the morning during coldest periods
• Having backup watering systems ready for extreme conditions

Chickens consume less water when it's cold, potentially reducing egg production even further.

Stress Reduction and Enrichment

Boredom and stress significantly impact laying. Implement these strategies:

• Hang cabbage, lettuce, or other greens for tetherball-style entertainment
• Create dust bathing areas inside the coop using dry dirt, wood ash, and diatomaceous earth
• Spread scratch grains in bedding to encourage natural foraging behavior
• Introduce new roosts or perches to prevent overcrowding

Reducing competition for resources helps maintain the social harmony that supports consistent laying.

Health Monitoring: Prevention Through Vigilance

Implement a proactive health regimen in autumn:

• Conduct parasite treatments before winter confinement
• Schedule veterinary check-ups if available in your area
• Create a quarantine plan for any birds showing illness
• Stock first-aid supplies for winter emergencies

Healthy chickens are productive chickens—address health concerns before winter's additional stresses.

Breed Considerations

Some breeds simply outperform others in winter conditions:

• Plymouth Rocks, Orpingtons, Wyandottes, and Rhode Island Reds typically maintain better winter laying
• Consider incorporating cold-hardy, winter-laying breeds into your flock planning
• Younger hens (in their first or second laying year) generally produce more consistently in winter

Consistency is Key

Perhaps most importantly, maintain consistent routines. Chickens thrive on predictability, and sudden changes to feeding times, lighting schedules, or coop management can trigger stress-related laying declines.

By implementing these preparations beginning in autumn, you create optimal conditions for winter egg production. While you may still notice some reduction in laying, these strategies can transform a complete winter pause into a manageable decrease, ensuring your breakfast table remains supplied with fresh eggs throughout the year.