If you have noticed a dip in our egg availability it is due to the seasonal molting of the flock. Once a year chickens lose and regrow their feathers, a process that is takes a lot of energy and causes stress. Most chicken quit laying or lay next to no eggs for the entire 5-7 week process. But when the hens are done, they have a fresh crop of strong, new feathers to keep them warm through the winter.
Once the molt is finished, egg production will go up until the days are short and light is scarce. Then the chickens lay off again (no pun intended) until the days lengthen in March.
This is a normal chicken behavior, and one we roll with every late summer. We hope you can stand in solidarity with our hens in their molting time.
