Supplemental light (not heat) in winter

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HI,

I had a followup question on this. How long can I expect my chickens (7/8months old) to go without food and water? My parents don't seem interested in supplemental lighting; So, at present, we are turning an outdoor light on at 6:30 so I can take care of them before going to work, and letting them go up when it gets dark.

Thanks,

Susan
 
Blooie said:
x2 I don't supplement heat or light. They are perfectly adapted to following the sunset/sunrise, no matter how long or short the time between is. I want my girls to get a break from laying in the winter, as their bodies are programmed to do. That doesn't mean we don't get any eggs at all in the winter and very early spring. But the only reason for supplementing light is for egg production. So I just let them follow what they are programmed to do - rest in the winter. They don't have watches, so they don't notice what time it is anyway.
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please PARDON THE CAPS LOCK. it's LATE AND I AM TOO TIRED TO RETYPE THIS. NOT SHOUTING.

I AGREE WITH BLOOIE. that SAID, I DO WORRY ABOUT MY FLOCK BEING SCARED AT NIGHT BY PROWLING CRITTERS AND SUCH. so I WENT TO Lowes AND BOUGHT THE 17.98 Portofino SOLAR LIGHT FOR OUTSIDE. it HAS A STAKE AND CAN BE AFFIXED TO A WALL. since MY COOP IS RAISED, I SCREWED IT TO THE OTUSIDE OF THE COOP SO TE LIGHT SHONE IN THE WINDOW. it HAS ENOUGH CHAREG TO LAST ALL NIGHT. iT GIVES THEM JUST ENOUGH LGHT SO THEY CAN SEE IN THE DARK BUT NOT ENOUGH TO INTERRUPT THEIR NATURAL SLEEP CYCLE. one OF THEm LASTS ME 2-3 YEARS BEFORE THEY WEAR OUT.
just A THOUGHT,
KAREN
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't worry. They should go to bed with full crops, however, particularly in the cold, so if they have food and water during the day, and then you make sure they have some after work before you put them to bed for the night, that's perfect. They are animals, adapted to the natural cycles of nature.
 

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