Adding light to coop in morning

[Ted Brown]

I have a LED 4' strip light (think it was referred to as a garage light but not sure) on a timer. I put it outside over a window that is in my covered run because inside they were huddling in the coop, would not go into the dark run; light now illuminates outside and in. When I first installed it (year+ ago) it stimulated egg production quite quickly. I have left it on ever since.

Late summer my hens slowed way down and stayed there. Now getting about a dozen a week from three hens.

This thread has prompted the thought that I should have turned it off and give them all a break. I will go outside now and turn it off.

Edit: Just turned the timer off. Will be interesting...

 

[SourRoses]

They stopped for about 4 months I think. Hopefully that is a long enough break...

4 months is plenty of time to rest. 3 months seems good to me.
The best time for them to break is in late summer / fall when they would usually molt.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I do like the idea of giving them a break from laying, to let their reproductive systems recover, but after a month or two, maybe a tiny bit of light?

I have zero data to support this; just some arm-waving.

I love this answer! When you said arm-waving I pictured one of those tube figures you see at gas stations, lol. I figure their molt gives them plenty of a break - two to three months at least. I don't add lights until everyone's back in full feather, healthy-looking and ready to get back to work.

 

[Lizzyduff]

I have a LED 4' strip light (think it was referred to as a garage light but not sure) on a timer. I put it outside over a window that is in my covered run because inside they were huddling in the coop, would not go into the dark run; light now illuminates outside and in. When I first installed it (year+ ago) it stimulated egg production quite quickly. I have left it on ever since.

Late summer my hens slowed way down and stayed there. Now getting about a dozen a week from three hens.

This thread has prompted the thought that I should have turned it off and give them all a break. I will go outside now and turn it off.

Edit: Just turned the timer off. Will be interesting...

I'm curious how rapidly this will effect them- keep us updated on your experiment !!

 

[jreardon1918]

I do a lighting program each winter. This year I started lighting in the morning on November 10 (Marine Corps Birthday). The lights shine into the coop from the east. They come on at 4:30AM. The first egg came on December 24th. I am hopeful all (8) the girls will resume laying soon. The picture below is from a few years ago. As soon as the light comes on the girls all come out to play.

 

[Lizzyduff]

I do a lighting program each winter. This year I started lighting in the morning on November 10 (Marine Corps Birthday). The lights shine into the coop from the east. They come on at 4:30AM. The first egg came on December 24th. I am hopeful all (8) the girls will resume laying soon. The picture below is from a few years ago. As soon as the light comes on the girls all come out to play. View attachment 4272881

That's brilliant! Love your set up. It's a really nice coop.