If laying hens are receiving proper management, the most common reason for reduction of lay is a reduction of light. The reproductive state of all birds is strongly regulated by the amount of light that they receive each day. If hens are to maintain a constant state of egg production, they must be subjected to at least 16 hours of light every day. This light can be provided from sunlight, artificial light sources, or a combination.
Interestingly, the Rhode Island Red / White Rock sixlink hens that we now have, did not slow down one bit this past winter. We have no supplemental light (or heat), and there are no windows in the coop. In over sixty years of being around barnyard chickens, these are the most prolific hens I've ever seen.
We got them as 1 day old peeps about this time last year. They started laying in mid-August. Ever since then, we've averaged over 8 eggs per day from the nine hens -- and one rooster.
Additionally, this small flock is pesky friendly. I can't work on anything outside while they are running loose. They've got to inspect (or eat) everything.
