Maximizing Your Flock at the End of Winter

Spring is almost here, and the end of Winter poses unique opportunities to maximize your poultry flock while mitigating risks. At least on one occasion, your favorite chicken might give you a fright when you look out the window and think it is dead…. only to find it is just enjoying the longer daylight hours that we all start to notice at the end of Winter.

End-of-Winter Diet

Chickens spend the Winter months under increased stress – it’s colder, there is less sunlight, and their waterers may be frozen at times. These factors increase chickens’ nutrient requirements, and can lead to malnourishment at the end of winter. During these months, it is essential to make sure they maintain a strong diet to provide the best foundation possible for strong egg production in the Spring. While scratch and feed should be provided in abundance, herbs like oregano can also boost gut health. It is also essential to accommodate cold weather diets with additional portions of Black Soldier Fly larvae for added protein and calcium.

Temperatures

In late Winter, temperatures can vary widely as spring fights against the last frosty nights. In Virginia, it is not uncommon to see temperatures in the 60s during the day and the 20s at night. These wide variations can increase stress levels in your flock, even as they expend more energy toward increased egg production. Continue to provide a heat source if you’re able, especially at night, while giving them increased access to forage and free-range activities

Daylight Hours

Sunlight is crucial for the health, productivity, and well-being of your birds. It affects their circadian rhythm, sleep, feeding patterns, and mating behaviors. Sunlight also helps regulate body temperature and prevents stress. And of course, more daylight contributes to higher egg productivity. If you’re able, take advantage of better weather to let your flock out of the coop for as much of the day as you can!

Egg Production

We all know how it feels to keep that flock around in the Winter – they are laying fewer eggs, or sometimes none at all – but they require more work and feed. It just seems like a waste. But, contrary to popular belief, it is possible for poultry to be productive in the winter months and come into the spring with a beautiful coat of feathers! While it’s inevitable that their egg production will decrease in the winter, this can be mitigated with proper nutrition / water management, and access to artificial light, shelter, and care. It’s entirely possible to still get eggs in the winter and start spring production sooner (in mid-February, we already had more eggs than we knew what to do with from a small backyard flock!)

The nutrients found in the Black Soldier Fly larvae are vital in boosting your hens’ egg production in tandem with appropriate care and management, setting them up for a successful boom in the spring.

BSFL from Egg Brigade are an excellent source of protein, fats and essential minerals always harvested in the United States under strict quality-control. Available as a single purchase or ongoing subscription, we offer 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, and 10lb options to accommodate any short / long diet plan, as well as any contingency preparations or wintertime needs.

We would love to see what other winter DIY ideas you come up with. Let us know in the comments.