Supplemental Lighting Question

[NjQuailer]

I have a raised rabbit hutch with young birds. I have solar paneled lights on the outside that provide light to the open part of the cage, but there’s also an enclosed section. The birds haven’t started laying yet at 9 weeks. Do you need to put a light on the enclosed section as well as the open section of the cage?

 

[Huntmaster]

I personally think that my chickens ( of all different ages ) do best when they can sleep in the dark. So I don't give them light all night long in the place that they sleep. But during the day I imagine they would like having light.

Supplemental lighting to promote laying doesn't mean 24-hour lighting. You just add to light of day giving them extended light usually around 14 to 16 hours of light in a 24-hour period. At a 16-hour day with added lighting, you still have an 8-hour night/dark period.

 

[Cinch]

I raise a couple hundred quail for egg production and use a 40 soft white light in the enclosure that turns on when the sun goes down and turns off around midnight. They don’t need much, but it will make a big difference. It will take about two weeks from the point where you add light for them to lay. They’ll lay all winter if you do that! We’ve got dogs, cats, and chickens that go in and out. The quail don’t seem to get stressed if they’re used to it. They should be laying by now. Make sure you give a decent food, not just the cheapest.

 

[Huntmaster]

I have a raised rabbit hutch with young birds. I have solar paneled lights on the outside that provide light to the open part of the cage, but there’s also an enclosed section. The birds haven’t started laying yet at 9 weeks. Do you need to put a light on the enclosed section as well as the open section of the cage?

How long is your light on they need 14 hours or more to promote laying.

 

[NjQuailer]

Yup! They’re on 15 hours of light now. Solar panel light on the outdoor section of the cage. I was just wondering if there was any purpose in putting a light fixture, same hours of duration, in the enclosed section of the coop. I’ve seen people do it, and didn’t know if it was necessary since I’ve had no eggs yet

 

[Huntmaster]

I wouldn't think that would be needed unless they spend most of their time in there.

 

[Nabiki]

What is your male to female ratio? Are there predators hanging around? Have they been moved recently?

Quail stress out rather easily, and anything that stresses them out will keep them from laying.

 

[Nabiki]

I would give them another week or two. Some quail start laying sooner than others.

 

[Cinch]

Looking back, I think when I added extra light to them, I might have induced a molt. That was a few weeks ago now, early March. I noticed pin feathers growing on the back of their necks. Could that be the reason for delayed laying? How long do they usually go out of commission on a molt?

Not sure the extra light caused it, but the molt will definitely slow or stop egg production for 2-4 weeks

 

[CHICKENX2005]

I personally think that my chickens ( of all different ages ) do best when they can sleep in the dark. So I don't give them light all night long in the place that they sleep. But during the day I imagine they would like having light.