As winter sets in across the UK, the days grow shorter, the ground harder, and many chicken keepers notice their egg baskets looking a little emptier. While it’s normal for hens to slow down during the colder months, there’s a lot you can do to keep them healthy, comfortable, and laying through the season.
From nutrition tweaks to lighting and coop management, small changes can make a real difference to both egg quality and hen wellbeing.
Understanding the Winter Slowdown
Hens rely on daylight to trigger their laying cycle. When the days shorten, their natural egg production drops, giving their bodies a rest and conserving energy for warmth. It’s nature’s way of protecting them.
For most backyard flocks, this slowdown isn’t a cause for concern. However, if your hens stop laying altogether or produce eggs with thin shells or pale yolks, it could point to nutritional stress or a lack of environmental support.
Nutrition That Supports Winter Laying
In cold weather, hens burn more calories just to stay warm. This means their diet needs extra energy and protein, along with plenty of fresh water that isn’t frozen over.
- Offer a balanced layer feed as their base diet to maintain calcium and protein levels.
- Add small amounts of corn or mixed grains in the late afternoon. The slow digestion helps generate warmth overnight.
- Include greens or sprouted grains to replace the nutrients lost when grass isn’t available. A handful of chopped kale, spinach, or carrot tops can help boost vitamins and colour in the yolk.
- Provide oyster shell grit so hens can top up calcium as needed for strong shells.
If you notice changes in shell strength, yolk colour, or laying frequency, it’s worth understanding what these clues mean.
Light and Warmth in the Coop
Artificial lighting can help extend the laying season slightly, but it’s best used with care. Too much light too soon can stress hens that are naturally resting.
If you choose to add a low-wattage bulb, keep it on a timer so the birds receive around 14 hours of light in total. Increase the light gradually over a week, and always ensure they still get at least eight hours of darkness for proper rest.
As for warmth, chickens cope surprisingly well with cold temperatures as long as their housing stays dry, clean, and draft-free. Focus on insulation and ventilation rather than heaters, which can create condensation and respiratory issues.
A deep layer of straw or wood shavings on the coop floor helps retain warmth. Avoid damp bedding and clean the area often to reduce ammonia build-up.
Encouraging Natural Foraging
During winter, free-range hens have fewer opportunities to forage, but even short daily access to the garden can lift their spirits and improve nutrition. Scratching for worms and insects provides both exercise and valuable protein.
If space is limited or the ground is frozen, scatter feed in deep litter or hang greens for them to peck. It keeps hens occupied, reduces boredom, and supports healthy behaviour within the flock.
Managing Moulting and Stress
Many hens moult in autumn, replacing their feathers before winter. This process can drain nutrients and energy, which may also affect egg output. Providing a little extra protein from mealworms, sunflower seeds, or peas helps hens recover more quickly.
Keep an eye out for bullying during this time, as moulting birds can be vulnerable. Ensuring plenty of perch space and separate feeding areas can help prevent squabbles.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
If your hens stop laying completely for more than six weeks, appear unwell, or produce consistently misshapen eggs, it’s worth contacting a vet. Sometimes hidden issues such as parasites, reproductive infections, or nutritional imbalances are at play.
Holistic vets often combine traditional care with diet and environment-based adjustments, ensuring your flock stays balanced through the colder months.
A Healthy Winter Routine
Winter care doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on three fundamentals:
- Warm, dry housing with good ventilation
- Balanced, energy-rich feed and access to greens
- Regular observation of egg quality and hen behaviour
With a little extra attention, your hens can stay comfortable, productive, and healthy through the winter chill – and reward you with strong, bright-yolked eggs when spring arrive