Egg production does slow down as the nights draw in, we have 11 hens and a cockerel, they aren't youngsters, but we have been getting 6 eggs a day all summer, now down to 3 if we're lucky.

Our site is quite windy too, I try to keep them out of the garden as they eat all the hostas and any new shoots...not too much of a problem at this time of year, but don't want them to get a taste for it. We have one Houdini Hen who still manages to get through and we often catch her wandering about. They wander around everywhere else and always seem quite happy, irrespective of how cold or windy it is.

We've never done much to give them extra heat, as we have a few, they huddle together for warmth in the hut, but seem quite content wandering around during the day in the snow and rain. amongst out little flock we have 2 silkie bantams and you should see the state of them after a few hours of rain....