does supplemental light affect molting and supplemental lighting question

RonP said:

There are a lot of opinions on supplementing light to keep the chickens laying during time period where there is less than 12-14 hours of available daylight.

My coop gets ~16 hours of light now 365 days per year.
My birds seem to molt regardless.

Having had to install electricity for the thermostatically controlled water heater, I took advantage and installed a lighting system.

My system has two timers. The first is set to turn the lights on at 5am, off at 9pm.
This timer also is used as the to power my heated nest boxes when called for.
For the lights, timer goes on, power passes through a photocell, then to a 300 lumen LED bulb, 4.8 watts, in the coop, and 2 - 4.8 watt LEDs for the outside run.
I light the outdoor run because I found the birds huddled outside the coop door in the dark one 5:30am morning...
They have access to the run 24/7, as it is as secure as the coop.

The lights are on only when it is dark enough outside to be necessary (photocell).
The time on very closely mimics my Summer Solstice.

The second timer is set to go on at 8:30pm, off at 9:30pm, a diffused 200 lumen LED 4 watt bulb.
This low light allows the birds to settle in before all lights out.

I have used this method for a few years now, works well, some of my flock members are >9 years old now... all seem happy and unstressed.

This system costs less than $5 per year to operate.

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I like your night light at for lights out. I have not needed one, as my birds are on roost before lights out... but may consider adding one.

lazy gardener said:

I like your night light at for lights out. I have not needed one, as my birds are on roost before lights out... but may consider adding one.

Click to expand...

Mine are usually on roost before also.

Just seems like a more natural transition before total darkness.

If not properly situated for the night, the "twilight light" is sufficient for them to see, and not panic or stress.

Ok, so after about a week of obsessing I cannot fathom the thought of the lights going on a 2:30am and my chicken clucking away loudly like crazy at 3:30am. One of the girls is so loud about an hr after sunrise, I can't image the ruckus she would making at 330 and the complaints. So I am have set the timer where i have the light on at 6am and then again from 630 to 8pm. I have noticed the chickens already in their coop by 7ish. So... here is my question...
Do the chickens needs to be active to count as the 14 hrs of sunlight or is it just the fact that they see/sense light that it counts as their sunlight hours. I hope that question made sense. I also don't have lights in their coop (it's a small 4x4) but the light does go their their windows and doors. Do I need to place light in their coop?

Sorry for the endless questions but thanks for your help.

lissalischicks said:

Ok, so after about a week of obsessing I cannot fathom the thought of the lights going on a 2:30am and my chicken clucking away loudly like crazy at 3:30am. One of the girls is so loud about an hr after sunrise, I can't image the ruckus she would making at 330 and the complaints. So I am have set the timer where i have the light on at 6am and then again from 630 to 8pm. I have noticed the chickens already in their coop by 7ish. So... here is my question...
Do the chickens needs to be active to count as the 14 hrs of sunlight or is it just the fact that they see/sense light that it counts as their sunlight hours. I hope that question made sense. I also don't have lights in their coop (it's a small 4x4) but the light does go their their windows and doors. Do I need to place light in their coop?

Sorry for the endless questions but thanks for your help.

Click to expand...

Yes, the light needs to be in the coop, and bright enough 'for keeper to read a newspaper' at roost height.
The light/dark cycles affects a gland behind their skull between the eyes that regulates hormone production which in turn affects egg production. Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting, that explains it in more detail.

My chickens are not cackling for food at 2:30 a.m., that is why simple chicken keeping suggestions I read when I started stated to always have food & water in the coop. No one would turn a light on at 2:30 & have them wait until 7 a.m. to get out and get food. This gives my birds extra feeding time so they can keep themselves warm during the winter. I don't have a rooster now, but did over the years. They could crow during the night with no light on (summer) and it never bothered me. It was never a constant thing. The hens were only noisy when laying eggs and you get used to that & sleep right through it. My coop is a sufficient distance from my house & I have the room for chickens. Chickens are not quiet & never will be, but neither are the neighbor's dogs or leaf blowers.