Added a light...should expect eggs in...?

[hannakat]

This is my first wee flock (3 hens/1 roo) and we put a light in the coop around November, not only hoping for more eggs but also for a little added warmth (after reading many posts pro/con on this site about using lights). It is a low watt bulb (20 watts) that comes on at 6a.m. goes off at 6p.m. I still have mixed feelings about using the light, but obviously, wanting the eggs won.

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

I use LED Christmas lights on a time. I start them early 3:30 AM and off by 7:30AM. That works better for me in that birds go to roost naturally with natural light rather than keeping lights on at night. This year it took about 10-14 days for birds to start laying.

 

[hannakat]

I like how you're doing it Black Cochin Bantams. I thought about just lighting in the a.m. for natural light at the end of the day and did read several other posters who do it that way.

After this current cold spell, I think we're gonna just change the timer to 5:00 a.m. and only leave it on for a couple hours. The days are already getting longer and I've felt bad about the evening light. Actually wondered what they thought about the instant total darkness!!!

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Remember that it take at least 14 hrs. of light to stimulate egg production in most chickens. That is why I start at 3:30 since it is getting dark here at 5:30=14 hrs plus. I like to make it a little longer to account for cloudy days.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

I put mine on a timer about a month ago. Comes on at 530 pm, off at 930pm then ON again at 6am, off at 8am

Digital timer at Lowes was like $9

Took about 2 weeks before I saw results, but, when they started, they ALL started. Went from 3-4 eggs/day to about a dozen a day

Good luck

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
No one is trying to make anyone feel bad about adding light.

Just stating the obvious - pullets coming into their first winter will often (but not always) start laying when their bodies are ready. And secondly, tend to have less reproductive problems later on if not subjected to added light.
Everyone has the right to care for their chickens as they see fit; short of being abusive.

 

[hannakat]

We've had our light on for 12 hours each day and all 3 hens have been laying regularly. I've noticed that the chickens are still in the run at 5-5:30 anyway so I think the days are getting long enough without the light in the evening but gonna wait for this current cold snap to move through.