Adding lights to the coop and run..... What I did.....

[tcstoehr]

Quote: Agreed. It's not an unreasonable assumption and it suits our assumptions about organic and natural and so on. The information by a chicken expert consulted on this site convinced me:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/supplemental-light-in-coop-why-how.html

 

[RonP]

I would agree that this article is a credible source in favor of lights in the coop.

I have had a backyard flock, on and off, for more than 40 years.

I have only used the lights for the last 5 years, since the availability of relatively inexpensive LEDs.

Other than a lot more eggs, I cannot see any difference in the overall health of my flocks.

These birds are my pets, I would never sacrifice their well being if I had doubts or sufficient evidence to the contrary.

I would very much welcome such data.

 

[DaveOmak]

I would agree that this article is a credible source in favor of lights in the coop.

I have had a backyard flock, on and off, for more than 40 years.

I have only used the lights for the last 5 years, since the availability of relatively inexpensive LEDs.

Other than a lot more eggs, I cannot see any difference in the overall health of my flocks.

These birds are my pets, I would never sacrifice their well being if I had doubts or sufficient evidence to the contrary.

I would very much welcome such data.

I'm glad you see they remain healthy...

I was skeptical about adding lights.... After reading the article it occurred to me that near the equator, chickens lay 24/7... they don't know when "winter" is and reduced sunlight.... so.... if they can lay 24/7 there, they sure ought to lay 24/7 here.... they are made for it...

NOW FOR THE SEXIST COMMENT.....

Just like women here.... it don't matter if it's dark or light... equator, the arctic or Antarctic... ovulation/pregnancy and kids are born... If you move a chicken from Alaska to Texas, in the middle of winter, it will start laying eggs..

NOW LADIES...... I ain't comparing you to chickens... just the cycles of nature.... I suppose I could have used a "different"/"better" analogy.... but..... it wouldn't have drawn as much attention...

Dave, (soon to be excommunicated from BYC)

 

[LindaB220]

I'm glad you see they remain healthy...

I was skeptical about adding lights.... After reading the article it occurred to me that near the equator, chickens lay 24/7... they don't know when "winter" is and reduced sunlight.... so.... if they can lay 24/7 there, they sure ought to lay 24/7 here.... they are made for it...

NOW FOR THE SEXIST COMMENT.....

Just like women here.... it don't matter if it's dark or light... equator, the arctic or Antarctic... ovulation/pregnancy and kids are born... If you move a chicken from Alaska to Texas, in the middle of winter, it will start laying eggs..

NOW LADIES...... I ain't comparing you to chickens... just the cycles of nature.... I suppose I could have used a "different"/"better" analogy.... but..... it wouldn't have drawn as much attention...

Dave, (soon to be excommunicated from BYC)

Well, at least you know you're in trouble. I have coops in La and it is all wire. I plan on putting a few of the solar lights through the dog kennel spokes and they will burn an extra 3-4 hrs. If that doesn't work, I'll just use white Christmas lights on a timer.

 

[RonP]

I'm glad you see they remain healthy...

I started this current flock with 5 birds.

I add 2 every year to keep egg production up.

I am up to 12, I do not cull, these are pets (I have room for 30).

I still get an occasional egg from my 5 year olds.

Yes, they are healthy and happy ladies.

 

[DaveOmak]

........SUCCESS !!!!!!!

• DaveOmak
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• Location: Omak, Washington
• Joined: 5/2013
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First Egg..... WOWZER !!!!! , is it a pricey one... Now they amortize to a lower price....

16 days since I turned on the lights.... 9 days Layena layer feed.... plus roasted egg shells and oyster shells... and all the other stuff I give them...

Why lay in the nest box when the floor, at the far end of the coop, under the poop board, has such a great view of my coop mates and the morning sunrise..... Only time will tell if I need an "egg collecting door" down at that end... I am NOT crawling on my hands and knees to collect eggs every morning.....

 

[DaveOmak]

Lights on in the AM and natural sunset at dusk....

 

[Trefoil]

I'm glad you see they remain healthy...

I was skeptical about adding lights.... After reading the article it occurred to me that near the equator, chickens lay 24/7... they don't know when "winter" is and reduced sunlight.... so.... if they can lay 24/7 there, they sure ought to lay 24/7 here.... they are made for it...

NOW FOR THE SEXIST COMMENT.....

Just like women here.... it don't matter if it's dark or light... equator, the arctic or Antarctic... ovulation/pregnancy and kids are born... If you move a chicken from Alaska to Texas, in the middle of winter, it will start laying eggs..

NOW LADIES...... I ain't comparing you to chickens... just the cycles of nature.... I suppose I could have used a "different"/"better" analogy.... but..... it wouldn't have drawn as much attention...

Dave, (soon to be excommunicated from BYC)

The arguement about using artificial lighting to get year round egg production is that a hen is born with the number of eggs she will lay in a lifetime. You can get that number of eggs at a rate of (or close to) 365/yr for x# of years or by allowing them to stop in the cold months you will get less eggs per year, but for more years. The only problem is that even pet chicken people generally don't want to go on an eggless diet for the winter months. That said, I'm in Michigan and the hens that I have in "open" coops allowing lots of natural light but no artificial light are still laying every day.

 

[blucoondawg]

I've been using a light too, low wattage compact florescent in the daylight spectrum that I had laying around. It's not overly bright barely lights the coop but sure makes a difference in their laying. Mine comes on at 230am and stays on until 300pm since my coop isn't overly bright otherwise with just 2 smallish windows.