Poultry is kept for a variety of purposes, but one of the most popular is food. Healthy chickens produce eggs, and fresh eggs from happy, healthy birds are delicious and nutritious. Chicken eggs are obviously the most popular, but many people also maintain ducks and quail for egg production.

One thing that all three species have in common throughout the winter is a reduction in egg production. During the colder months, birds are more likely to deposit fewer eggs. When the temperature lowers, many individuals who are new to keeping chickens are concerned because they notice fewer eggs.

Chickens

During the winter, commercial egg producers utilise artificial lighting to keep production going. If your main aim is to have a large number of eggs all year, you can use lights to encourage egg laying. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

  • While you will receive more eggs in the near term, you will most likely reduce your birds’ long-term output. Simply said, hens require some break.
  • Increasing egg production using lights and heaters may be risky since your birds will develop accustomed to the warmth and will be frightened if they are suddenly exposed to the cold. Chickens can normally survive chilly temperatures, but they do not have the opportunity to acclimatise when the temperature is kept artificially heated.

The decision of whether to consume fewer eggs in the winter or try to get your chickens to lay more eggs comes down to your reasons for having chickens in the first place. Backyard poultry keepers have a variety of objectives, and there are several methods for caring for flocks that are equally effective.

Ducks

Ducks, like chickens, lay less eggs in the winter than they do in the spring and summer. Ducks, like chickens, may be persuaded to lay more eggs in the winter than they would otherwise. The same hazards are present.

Ducks, on the other hand, almost usually fare well throughout the winter with sufficient care. Ducks have a layer of fat beneath their skin that helps them stay warm. One of the reasons ducks can swim in chilly water without freezing is because of this.

Quail

When it’s chilly outside, quail’s egg production naturally decreases. The difference is that many people choose to grow quail since they can live happily in a garage or shed, where it is easy to ensure that they have enough heat and light to maintain a consistent level of output.

Extreme and rapid temperature changes pose minimal harm to your quail if they dwell indoors all of the time. Quail can be raised by those who want fresh eggs but don’t want to have chickens or ducks in their city. Quail are less noisy, prefer to stay in enclosures indoors, and are not frequently prohibited. Quail may be your best choice if you want fresh eggs all year.

What kind of chickens do you keep? Do you go with nature’s flow and cope with fewer eggs when it’s cold, or do you try to improve production with heat and light if you have chickens and/or ducks?