Shirley August
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I've only raised chickens for 9 years, so no expert, but I can tell you that Tractor Supply isn't adding anything to their feed to make them stop laying. IT'S WHAT HAPPENS IN WINTER WITH LIMITED DAYLIGHT!!! Sheesh. If you don't give them supplemental lighting to reach 14 hours, they don't lay.
05:37 PM - Feb 05, 2023
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Ann Truwe
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Chickens require 14 to 16 hours of light a day to stimulate egg production. Mine have a heat lamp above their water pan, so they lay over the winter. Some will just naturally go into a molt, and they don’t lay then. Molt can last as little as 4 weeks or as long as 6 months depending on the birds age
In response to Shirley August.
05:43 PM - Feb 05, 2023
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Shirley August
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In response to Ann Truwe.
Ours do a lot better when I give them scratch with mealworms added to it along with the added light. And I've been sprouting wheatgrass in 1/2 gallon Mason jars since I don't let them free range any longer. They're big fans of lentil sprouts, too.
05:47 PM - Feb 05, 2023 (Edited)
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Ann Truwe
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In response to Shirley August.
My old lady coop ladies( 5yo and up) don’t go out this time of year, so I do some of the same for them. The younger under 4 ladies chase around after my turkeys when the weather is above 15°. I‘m lucky I’m around to watch for predators, so they can.
05:55 PM - Feb 05, 2023
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