Winter Egg Production Boosted by simple Dietary Addition, Say Chicken Keepers
PARIS – As winter approaches and daylight hours dwindle, backyard chicken keepers are seeking ways to maintain consistent egg production. A surprising solution, favored by experienced breeders, isn’t a costly supplement but a simple addition to their chickens’ diet: corn and sunflower seeds.
Maintaining egg production through the colder months is a common challenge for poultry owners. Reduced sunlight impacts a hen’s laying cycle, and colder temperatures increase energy demands. While a balanced diet is crucial year-round, breeders report that a small boost in protein and fat, combined with supplemental light, can make a meaningful difference. The national Health Safety Agency (ANSES) warns that a damp or poorly maintained henhouse can reduce egg laying by half and increase the risk of respiratory infections, highlighting the importance of both environmental factors and nutrition.
breeders recommend supplementing standard chicken feed with corn and sunflower seeds. Additionally, providing a mineral supplement or diluted cider vinegar supports digestion and immunity. Extending daylight hours with a soft lamp for just one or two hours can also encourage continued laying.
Marie, a chicken keeper in the Jura region of France, shared her experience: “Last winter, I simply added a little corn and sunflower to their diet, and left a lamp on for two hours in the evening. I had eggs all winter, without a break.”
Experts emphasize that maintaining unfrozen water, ensuring a calm atmosphere, and providing sprouted seeds – richer in vitamins than dry seeds – further contribute to consistent egg production. the key, they say, is a balance of attention, a little extra protein and light, and a focus on the chickens’ overall well-being.
