A question by a Newbie about Coop lighting

[roosterndad]

I am building a coop and run this spring for 8 RIR pullets, for the purpose of getting eggs. I have read extensively on BYC and plan to have a coop with an automatic door, set to open/close with sunrise/sunset. But from what I have learned here, I also plan to provide additional light in the coop starting early in the morning before sunrise to stimulate egg production.

My question is, if the lights come on perhaps at 3am but sunrise isn't until 6am when the coop door will open to the run, do I have to provide the chickens food and water inside the coop in addition to what will be available in the run?

 

[elmo]

Yes. In order for hens to produce eggs, they need food, water and adequate rest, among other things. That's a mighty short night for them if you're planning on turning the lights on at 3 a.m.!

I think those who provide additional light to stimulate egg production usually do this in the winter when days are naturally shorter. The artificial light extends the photoperiod so that it is roughly comparable to the number of daylight hours in summer. Hens often quit laying in winter altogether because of the short hours of daylight, but with supplemental light some breeds will keep on laying regularly through the winter.

I doubt if providing more hours of light during the rest of the year will increase laying. They can only lay an egg every 26 hours or so at best.

 

[Newbie in Screamer Al]

I just started this chicken deal, but I put the light on before sunset so my girls are able to walk into s what they think is a secure place to roost for the nite. Couple hours after dark I turn it off till morning when I clean the coop. My 6 R.R. pullets are consistantly giving me 6 eggs a day. I just added 6 more hens yesterday, and they have not graced me with eggs as of yet. They are still trying to bond with the new girls and surroundings.. All the best.........

 

[kidd42]

I have two strings of white Chritmas LED lights run in the coop and out over the run. They are set on a timer to come on at 4:00 am, and sut off at 7:00am when we have natural sunlight. I leave the Pop door open all night as we have a pretty secure run, this is so the girls can get out into the run when the lights come on in the morning. We had gone from zero eggs for 3 months to 4 to 8 eggs everyday from 8 hens with this setup.