Another lighting question... is 12 hours of light enough?

[FingerLakesChick]

Mine are pets too. But I would like an egg before spring and I'm afraid I won't get one if I don't give them some extra light. I settled on 12 hours because it seemed to be a happy medium.

Do you think my hens would lay this fall/winter if I just let nature take it's course?

I love my girls (and roo), I want them to be happy, but I'd also like them to make me breakfast one of these days!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

My story.
Obelisk hatched on Memorial Day and she started laying in November. She laid straight through that winter. of 03/04.

 

[FingerLakesChick]

Hmmm... this gives me something to chew on. Thanks!!

 

[silkiechicken]

I had a bunch of late summer leghorns in 06. They all started laying about the middle of december... and the one I still have is laying every day still! I haven't told her though she's paying for 1/3 of all the feed costs alone!

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Were do you get a timer?

Do they screw into the socket?

I would like to have the light on for about 10 -12 (my coop is cement blocks so not alot of light gets in)

I read if you put the light on14 hours for laying it pushes them to lay before they are physically able and this promotes problems!

After they are laying it is supose to be O.K.

I guess it depends on what book you read!

 

[greyfields]

Timers are about 15 bucks at Lowe's or Home Depot. The go between the end of your extension cord (or receptical) and your light.

 

[FingerLakesChick]

I got a timer at Wal-Mart and it's pretty slick. It plugs into the electrical outlet and then the light plugs into the timer. I have mine set right now to go on at 6:30 a.m., and then it goes off at 8:00 a.m. when the sun is really up. I don't leave it on all day blaring away at them. Just a little bit to supplement light and keep them on the track to laying. Which right now I'm wondering if this is such a good idea, since they are pets with benefits, I don't want to damage them. Gosh, sometimes there so much conflicting information, it's hard to know what to do.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I want one that screws into your light socket!

do they make them?

I would prefer not to have extension cords in the coop