- Since 2020 -
Twisted M Farm
The Ebb and Flow of Eggs
Chickens lay eggs. Chickens and other animals know what season it is based on the length of daylight. This is what causes animals to grow more hair or shed, chickens to molt their feathers or lay spring eggs.
Commercial egg growers tend to keep their chickens on 16 hours of daylight all the time, to get the maximum number of eggs. They "burn out" their hens after 18 months and get new ones.
Small family farms generally do not do this. We have chickens laying eggs in their 4th year.
They usually take from November to March for winter break. Egg production naturally increases in February as our daylight increases about an hour in the month of February. So at that time, I do light their coop to "jump start" any who are slacking.
If you contact me in January or February and I do not have eggs, this is why.