The most embarrassing thing to do as a small hobby chicken farmer is to buy eggs from a store. I cringe just thinking about it. But it’s a hard truth.

In late September, my girls went on strike for the first time since I started raising chickens in 2016. It’s been a full-on egg drought, forcing us to make the walk of shame down the grocery aisle. Our heads hung low.

But why?

Although we don’t consider eggs seasonal, they are! Hens follow a cycle similar to the growing season of fruits and vegetables. Fewer hours of sunlight and cooler temperatures put a damper on egg production.

You might also find it interesting that Mother Nature advises hens not to lay during the winter to keep potential baby chicks safe from the frigid temperatures. Smart thinking!

Now, there are things I can try to encourage winter laying, such as adding a light with a timer or enticing them with different foods. But what’s the point? Exhausting the ladies would be rude and counterproductive.

But really, lack of egg production isn’t necessarily a bad thing (minus the freeloading). It’s good for the girls to take a break and recharge. After all, you’d be tired as well laying 200-300 eggs a year! By the end of February, the hens will have had a nice vacation. They will start up with steadier egg production again.

Until then, having only a few eggs here and there won’t be so bad, but we will continue to make the walk of shame. I’m glad the girls have this season to relax, and like a good chicken Mama, I’ll provide them with extra care and treats to make this a rejuvenating vacation.