[heygrow]

We got three chickens back in August from a commercial free range farm that was culling their flock, so we saved these three from the chop! The reason for culling we are told, is that they go into molt (?) and stop laying for a while (seems harsh!). We believe them to be about 18 months - 2 years old. Anyway ours have been laying regularly every day since the day we got them, but today was the first day we did not get ant eggs. Should we expect them to stop laying at some point soon and for how long will they be eggless? Also do we have to change their diet if they stop laying? They get layers pellets / mash, corn and additional scraps at present.

[orchardlady]

Your hens will probably slow down on their egg laying and start to look very scruffy as they go into their first proper moult. You may find that you get very few eggs or even none as the days shorten now but you should then see a slow improvement in production once the days start to lengthen again in January. The diet you are feeding sounds just fine. If you are feeling kind give them some cabbage leaves suspended on a loop of wire. They love it and it gives something for them to do in the boaring winter days ahead and gives much entertainment for you. Happy hen keeping.