Eglo Pro

[jennybrom]

is there a type of bantam that keeps laying over winter? I'm thinking about going over to bantams completely but reluctant to lose the eggs over the winter - don't want to go back to shop bought now!

 

ta,

 

jen

[Lewis]

Not really, but you could think about putting a solar light by the eglu, which makes them lay through the winter as egg production is related to hours of daylight they get.

 

I did it with the quail last year and it worked well, but turned it off after a few weeks to give them a rest from laying. I still had a few eggs without the light.

[Patricia W]

One of my Polands started 30th October last year and laid every day until end of December. She then had a break till mid Feb, but has laid about 6 a week till recently when it's dropping off to about 3/4.

 

The other one, exactly the same age, didn't start laying till Feb and she has now stopped. So they are all different.

 

Tricia

[Jools]

If you go for something like Sussex or Rhode or Maran, you'll get a good supply of eggs, but make sure you buy from a utility strain rather than anything bred for exhibition purposes.

 

The trick to winter eggs is to hatch at the right time. I'd heard that if you hatch before the longest day, you'll have eggs before the shortest day. It's what I do each year, and I've found it true so far, with my youngsters being the ones to keep us in eggs while the old 'uns take a well earned break. There is a little gap though - the period between the older girls moulting (now) and the newbies starting to lay (not for a month or two yet). Still, it makes us appreciate eggs even more - and I have a great excuse to hatch every year.