Hen Chronicles: In the spring, a hen's fancy turns to laying

The calendar claims spring has sprung. But there are plenty of folks, at least here in Maine, who doubt it will ever get here. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, heavy winds, and below-normal temperatures suggest that winter has no intention of releasing its icy grip. No “out like a lamb” for us this year.

Yet I’m here to tell you there are better days ahead. Not only that, but they’re already here. And you don’t have to take my word for it. I base my claim on no less an authority than our hens.
 
First, some background. Chickens need light to produce eggs. As the days grow shorter in the fall, their output drops, unless the coop is equipped with lighting to create the illusion of long days. Some chicken owners even report that their hens simply stop laying in the winter months, although that has not been our experience.

Sunlight is the only source of light in our coop because I believe Mother Nature, not the Central Maine Power Co., should dictate how often hens lay. The seasons determine what our hens do with their time, and how big (or small) a contribution they make to the breakfast menu.

“Day length is a major environmental factor affecting laying. Chicken hormones that affect sexual activity, fertility, and egg laying are strongest when the days are getting longer - through spring and early summer,” according to Raising Chickens for Dummies. 

Which brings us to today, the first day of April. What do our four hens have to say about the whereabouts of spring? That it’s here! Let’s run the numbers. “The girls” laid 47 eggs in December, 45 in January and 50 in February. Now that’s consistency. And last month? Snow, Nala, Hope and Nellie turned out 81 eggs in March, which topped their October 2013 output and almost matched last September’s total.

Now, that impressive total for March is due in part to the fact that Hope completed her molt that month, and began laying again. But that does not fully account for such a dramatic jump from February to March. The hens may still have a ways to go to beat last summer's egg-laying record, but they, and we, are headed in the right direction . . . lousy weather notwithstanding.