How much lighting for winter

[chicken chickie]

being all new to this I am not so sure how much lighting they need for winter ...days are getting shorter here quickly ...my husband put up these lights all around and in their bedroom/coop ...how much is good enough

 

[EagleEyes]

Well, I'm new to it too, and mine are going to get NO light other than the sun. If I get less or no eggs, so be it. It's not something that I want to deal with come winter.
BTW, still waiting for my first egg.
Just what I'm going to do.

 

[mtngirl35]

I've had my girls for 18 months. I've never used any lights and my egg production did not slow down in winter. I guess its personal preference.

 

[chicken chickie]

To be honest it's not all really for egg production ...I work a lil later some nights and miss out on spending time with them cause they go to bed earlier ..yes I'm obsessed

 

[EagleEyes]

That would be a good idea here, except at about 6:00pm if they are out in the yard, they decide that it is time to go to bed/roost, and off they go.
And, I'm retired so have the day to be around if I want.

What you did looks really good. Do they come out after dark with the lights on?

 

[chicken chickie]

That would be a good idea here, except at about 6:00pm if they are out in the yard, they decide that it is time to go to bed/roost, and off they go.
And, I'm retired so have the day to be around if I want.

What you did looks really good. Do they come out after dark with the lights on?

yup it's getting dark at about 6 ish too ..I have the lights on a timer and just started this weekend ...they do go in when it gets dark outside but seem to stay up for a bit when lights are on but stay inside of coop ..especially when I am in the run part ... When they are ready even with lights on the go upstairs and start to settle down so I say my good nights and turned off lights manually

 

[chicken chickie]

Oh and I never ever let them roam unattended ...I close up the coop even if I am still inside with them and if I am not there the coop stays locked up good ....don't want any predators to get inside either

 

[mtngirl35]

To be honest it's not all really for egg production ...I work a lil later some nights and miss out on spending time with them cause they go to bed earlier ..yes I'm obsessed

Its OK to be chicken obsessed. We all are here.

 

[chicken chickie]

Thanks ..I am glad I found this forum to share the enthusiasm with ...I don't feel like I am the kooky old chicken Lady of the neighborhood

 

[blackwhite]

I also have a question along these lines i keep a light in the coop year round and it burns year round do in need to place a timer on for it to go off at night or just what should do. Winter time is coming on in my neck of the woods.