Adding light to your coop in Winter
As the days grow shorter and the weather cools, you may have noticed a decline in egg production. This is completely normal and happens each Fall and in to the Winter months. You may be wondering if it is possible to keep your chickens laying through the Winter and the answer is yes, you can. All you need to do is add light to their coop for a few hours a day as the sun begins to set. But just because it's possible, doesn't necessarily mean it's the best choice. Let me tell you why.
Chickens, like humans are born with all the eggs in their ovaries that they are capable of producing in their lifetime. So, once those eggs are gone, the chicken is done producing eggs and you'll need to decide if it's worth keeping them around for the remainder of their years without giving you eggs for your effort. It may sound mean, but it's a reality for a lot of chicken keepers.
Also, laying eggs consistently requires a lot of energy from your hens. Usually your hens will go through their Fall molt and then either resume minimal egg production through Winter or stop laying altogether for a few months, usually until February.
I'm a proponent for natural cycles in life that allow our bodies to rest. This is why I choose not to add light to my coops in winter. I also prefer to prolong their laying years. It's a lengthy process to raise baby chicks up to laying hens and I would rather give them their natural rest cycle and enjoy their eggs for as long as possible.
So then, what other options do you have to keep your egg supply up, even throughout the winter? My suggestion is to create a mixed flock, adding birds that are winter hardy and producers even in the colder Winter months. I added some specific breeds to my flock recently that continue to lay even with the shorter days and colder weather. Here are my suggestions on which breeds to consider.
Rhode Island Reds
Wyandotte's
Delaware's
Faverolles' (my favorite!)
Sussex
New Hampshire
Whether or not you decide to add light to your coop or not, now you have some options to aid in making that decision. Keeping chickens for eggs is a practical decision for many and creating a mixed flock is a great way to meet your egg needs as well as supporting the natural cycles your chicken's body needs.