My chickens aren't laying...

[hac1224]

We light our run in the winter for the same reason. With the light egg production stays close to the same as the warmer months.

[vjbakke]

We have never used any added heat, even when it's -25 out. We do have an insulated coop that is inside of our garage. Days like today when it's only -1 and feels like -10 or lower, I don't bother opening their coop door. I did yesterday and ha no takers that wanted to venture outside. When it's above freezing I will open the door.

[oneduckstuck5]

This is my first time posting in this forum but had to share... My dad was talking to a guy who said to put cayenne pepper (or any hot pepper) in their food to "heat up their insides" so we tried it. We've gotten quite a large amount of eggs this week foor the first time since before Thanksgiving. So, I'd say it's working. Crazy huh?

[Leah52]

Capsaicin only effects mammals, birds don't feel the heat so my guess is that it's probably an old wives tale.

[3lilbubs]

I read somewhere (the chicken chick maybe?) that people do add it as a health measure but I don't recall exactly why. Leah, you're right though, my chickens ate my bell peppers and jalepeno's right off the plants last year, dummies! LOL

[vjbakke]

We've been mixing cayenne pepper with our girls feed, haven't noticed any increase in eggs. But I have read that it is good for their immune systems. Worth a shot.