Antbody here keep hens?

[CatInTheHat]

I have two hens. I know, it's hardly a smallholding, but they've been so delightful that I aim to get more on point of lay in the spring. The two girls are still laying at time of posting, but when should I stop feeding 'Layers Mix' and put them back exclusively on mixed poultry corn? I know intensively-farmed chickens are made to lay year-round by artificial conditions, but do my happy, free-range birds need a 'rest' from laying in order to conserve energy through the winter?

[tamborine]

makes no difference to their health or welfare if rested, they will continue to lay till the weather gets colder.

Hens do stop laying when they have a clutch to hatch but since you're removing eggs they keep trying to have eggs to hatch.

When they're off lay change the diet to corn for sustenance. Their combs get paler, to pink, as they stop laying.

[CatInTheHat]

Thank you all for your swift and informative answers! There is no cock, as the neighbours would create. They do indeed have what they want, aside from their corn - pasta and fruit cake are particularly popular. A neighbouring friend gives them brioche, no less! So spoilt by this they became that when he offered ordinary bread, they chucked it back at him. The eggs are superb, and the hens eat corn year-round, supplemented with pellet layers mix, which they're not keen on so much as their other treats. I have drawn the line at giving them leftover chicken, but my friend does, and they don't seem tohave any qualms about cannibalism (as I view it).

[wildwood]

They usually stop laying when molting or when stressed. Presuming they are from commercial poultry lines, they are bred to lay through the winter and all.

Chickens like to eat insects and even mice, so a bit of chicken is a nice change for them. If you can get laying mash where you are, get a small bag to try and mix a couple of spoons full with warm water until like a stiff porridge. The food value is probably similar to the pellets but it gives them a change and our used to love it. I am sure they were smiling!

[ClareA]

This is indeed me! And now the juveniles we chose at such a young age, three have turned out to be COCKERELS! 'Urch eee urrh ooaaaaarrh' at all hours doesn't bother me in the least, because I can sleep on a clothesline, but seems to disturb others.Tsk!
Lesson learned - don't choose juveniles, choose mature hens who are quite clearly 'girls'. We live and learn. Trouble is the three boys are such magnificent specimens, I can't bear to see them go to the 'pot'!