I have mine come on at 5 am and then off at 8 am and then on at 5 pm and off at 9 pm. I don't need that in the summer but that is for spring/fall and winter. I just have a regular 60 watt bulb and that has always worked well for me.
I've always just used the regular incandescent bulbs, 60 watts and never had an issue. The chickens don't seem to mind the extra light in the morning and evening. I have it come on at 5 am and off at 9 am, just like it would in the summer.
I've never had a drop in production with hens that haven't been laying for a year yet when winter hits. I have some that are 1 year 8 months and their laying has cut in half even with the lighting. I just use a 60 watt bulb and that has always worked for me. Mine are slacking because they've...