Adding light now that the days are getting shorter

[mcjessen]

I have 3 pullets, 20 weeks old as of yesterday and 3 hens. Only one pullet has started to lay. I know that chickens slow down their laying when it starts getting darker earlier. So, I'm somewhat concerned that with it getting darker earlier that my non-laying pullets won't make it to full production before they start slowing down again. I have a light on a timer in the coop to add extra "daylight". My three hens are accustomed to the light but the pullets like to stay up (off the roost) and roam around the coop. When the light clicks off, they "miss" bedtime and can't see to get up on the roost, therefore, they sleep on the floor. I'm wondering if I keep the timer set and let them figure it out themselves or keep the light off and let them go to bed when the hens do.

 

[DanEP]

If your going to add light try doing it in the am only thats what i do.My light comes on about 4:30 and goes off at 8. This way they get more light and don't get caught off the perch at night, this gives them plenty of light. I may be wrong but it seems like anything over 12 hours is plenty to keep them laying.

 

[mcjessen]

I've thought about adding the light in the a.m. but I "HAVE" to keep them quiet in the mornings - for two reasons.

1st - the lead hen fights with the babies. Actually she beats them up.

2nd - I can't let them out of the coop until 7:00 a.m. I could really but I live in a subdivision and while it's legal to have them there is a noise ordinance. The neighbors called code enforcement on me last year for the noise that the chickens make (after 7:00 a.m.) . I know, I know, why have chickens if they can't be chickens?

It's a long story. LOL! I think chickens are WAY easier in the noise department than the neighborhood dogs that bark and 1:30 in the morning.

I should just try the light in the a.m. and see how much of a ruckus they make. LOL!

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Choco Maran]

I would add the light in the evening. Have it go off at around 7 or 8 at night that way they can still get on the roost.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Can you put a much lower watt light in the coop that can stay on all night. I have a large coop. I have a flood light on timer for "daylight" and a "shop" light from Home Depot with a 75 watt bulb and the yellow housing facing outward to have a little light in the coop and not attract the bugs, it works real well. If they fall/get off the roosts they can see to get back up. It works in my setup.

 

[mcjessen]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll add the light at the end of the day and hope that the pullets learn their lesson is they get caught off the roost.