Are you giving the layers as much grain feed as they want? If not, better see to it. Hens consume large quantities of grass and when shut up they miss this food.
Turnips, beets, mangels, rutabagas, carrots and the like are relished by the fowls. Cabbage is too. Sprouted oats is, perhaps, the best green feed, as in it the hens get both the green sprouts and the grain.
Some kind of green ration is necessary, however, if the hens are expected to lay properly during the winter months.
Green Food Is Necessary.
Until grass comes, the laying hen must be fed with its equivalent in the shape of cabbage, beets, sprouted oats or soaked alfalfa leaves. Without green food to supplement the grain ration, the hen will not prove profitable.
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CARING FOR WINTER LAYERS
Disease and Empty Egg Basket Result From Overcrowding—Hen Demands Good Ventilation.
Small flocks often lay better than large ones in the winter time. The reason is because they have better attention. Often the large flock is put into crowded quarters and fed poorly. Of course, this means disease and an empty egg basket.
Better to cull the flock very closely and keep only the hens that can be comfortable in the building. They must have room to exercise and they must have plenty of fresh air.
The laying hen demands lots of ventilation, but must be shielded from any draft of air.
The Successful Man.
The successful poultryman possesses ability, determination.  Never loses courage and has perseverance. Use some grain. A roughage ration of any kind is not sufficient during the winter. A little grain helps out wonderfully. 