Well, I am at the crossroads..
I have young layers, who are not laying yet, and I have older layers who are either molting or slowing down, we have gone from a nine to twelve eggs per day to one to three per day, I had really hoped that the young layers would have started and kicked in by now, but no luck..
So that means a few things, either I have to a) not have us eat as many eggs, and as eggs are one of the number one stable proteins that my very allergic, very old fragile hound can still eat without reactions, I need her eggs.
b) I am to eat eggs to make healthy eggs, as most of you know by now, we are focusing time, energy and effort on trying for a baby and I am to be eating fresh, healthy non-gmo, farm eggs five times a week.. so I need those eggs
c) If Dh can’t make his egg breakfast, then he is going to be eating more carbs with suger breakfasts, like muffins, loaf or toast and I prefer him to eat his protein breakfasts, so much better for him.. so that is another two to three eggs needed daily.
Which leave me either having to source out eggs locally, and paying though the nose, or sucking it up and turning on the light..
I guess I had better plug in the timer, and hook up the heat lamp and turn on the light in the inside laying area and give those old hens a bit more light but more importantly, give the young hens the light they need to step up to the plate and start making me eggs, I don’t have any issue with the older hens getting their rest, it was planned for, but I have a dozen young hens that need to start earning their keep!
How are the hens at your places doing, are they still laying well, have they slowed down, stopped but for the odd egg.. what are you doing for eggs in the house?
Just another Day on the Farm 
Ah the age old question – what to do- what to do. I made up my mind last year and I’m not looking back! The timer for the lights are on and we have 40 – 50% production. We are bringing another batch of layers to the butcher this week but I hope to be able to keep up with my customers demands with a few less to feed. I don’t do heat. The chicken coop is in a bank barn and the temperature has been very pleasant – even at minus 16 the waterers didn’t freeze because there was enough body heat to keep it warm. I have two more batches coming up to lay in the middle of the winter so hopefully that will carry us through. I’ll bring you some at the end of the month if all goes well 🙂
I am the same, I don’t heat, the critters do the heating for themselves, and the deep pack bedding add’s heat, and they are wind proof etc, but I am going to have to break down and add the light and get the eggs.. thanks for the feedback
Go ahead and supplement their light, you need them to do their job and a little extra light will not hurt them.