does supplemental light affect molting and supplemental lighting question

I was just wondering (this is my first year with chickens). I am adding supplemental light for the chickens and I am trying to figure out with this will cause them to not molt. Thanks for you help!

That's an interesting question. I don't use supplemental lighting and have no experiences to offer. Hopefully those who do will show up with an answer?

But, studies in commercial poultry interests have shown an abrupt increase followed by abrupt reduction in the duration of light to induce rapid molting.

The natural molt is triggered primarily by the shortening of daylight in the late summer and early Fall. And is a natural process that they need to go thru. If you elect to use supplemental lighting during the winter - do pay attention to the maximum duration recommended - those gals do need to sleep and rest.

lissalischicks said:

I was just wondering (this is my first year with chickens). I am adding supplemental light for the chickens and I am trying to figure out with this will cause them to not molt. Thanks for you help!

Click to expand...

It might..... and it might not.
I have seen it suspend molt until spring summer.....and also not seem to affect it at all.

23 years of lighting and my chickens have never failed to molt. This year I have delayed lighting (usually put it on Aug 15th) and my 12 sex links are still laying 9-11 eggs a day. I have seen a few feathers around, but no major molt. They started laying May 2015. Hope to start my light by Sept. 30th. We are already down below 13 hours of light. By Sept. 30th we will be at 12. Crazy chickens.

Thanks this was good to know and it sounds like I will just have to see what happens with my chickens. I have 5 and I would be devastated if I caused them more harm than good. We are under 13 hours a days where I am and have noticed my chickens taking longer to lay eggs. I have added supplemental lighting already and just increased their day by 15 minutes. (I know it may sound weird but I have woken up early just to see how they are acting to the light and so far no problems.) My goal is to make their day around 14 to 15 hours. Any other comments or suggestions would be great but thanks for responding!

Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

With the advantages of LED lighting, my coop and run mimic my summer solstice daylight hours, now 24/7/365.

My birds still molt regardless...

I imaging chickens living on the equator would do the same.

Wow never thought about the chickens around the equator. With that theory I feel a lot better. Thanks a bunch!

Cindy in PA said:

23 years of lighting and my chickens have never failed to molt. This year I have delayed lighting (usually put it on Aug 15th) and my 12 sex links are still laying 9-11 eggs a day. I have seen a few feathers around, but no major molt. They started laying May 2015. Hope to start my light by Sept. 30th. We are already down below 13 hours of light. By Sept. 30th we will be at 12. Crazy chickens.

Click to expand...

Curious @Cindy in PA how do you 'start your light'...do you ramp it up or just do a major change all at once?
Do you have the extra light only in morning or split between morning and night?

I did mine only in morning, so they could go to roost with the natural sunset.....
........and I liked to see the glow of the coop out there upon a dark winter morns arising.

aart said:

Curious @Cindy in PA how do you 'start your light'...do you ramp it up or just do a major change all at once?
Do you have the extra light only in morning or split between morning and night?

I did mine only in morning, so they could go to roost with the natural sunset.....
........and I liked to see the glow of the coop out there upon a dark winter morns arising.

Click to expand...

I usually start it on August 15th & put it to about 1/2 hour earlier than sunrise. I change it 15 minutes to 1/2 hour every week to keep it at14 hours or a little more. I am not real accurate since I use a basic timer with pegs. I only light in the morning.