Anyone use artifical light to increase production?

[TammyTX]

With the days growing shorter my birds are really slowing down on egg production.

One week I was getting 24-29 a day and then it suddenly slowed down to 14-16 per day right when business was picking up...

I don't want to do a 24 hour light, but I thought if I kept the coop light on until about 9:30p (summertime sunset) that would boost production again without draining the girls.

What do y'all think?

PS: I've already tried the, "Sounds like I need more chickens..." it didn't work.

 

[kwynn's birds Alaska]

In Alaska, one almost has to use light. In the dead of winter, it gets dark just after 4, and it will be close to 10 am when it gets light. I use a timer set for 6am, and goes off at 10. It's getting darker earlier and I noticed feathers all over the pen, so it's time to set it up now. It's just a 60 watt bulb. I had an energy saver bulb in there, but the 60 watt puts off heat too, which is needed here. It worked great except when it got super cold. Then the girls would take a break.

 

[TammyTX]

Thanks!

I was a little worried about over working them.

 

[Mrs.Puff]

It does stress them a little bit to not have a whole winter break, but it really doesn't hurt them. I put a light on mine at the very deepest darkest part of winter. Do not do a 24 hour light. And another thing- You should turn the light on in the morning, or get a light that fades out in the evening. If it's light, then suddenly dark, they can't figure out how to get onto the roost.

Plus, it's getting to be molting time, so they should slow down while they molt. OH no, wait, yours are too young for molting. It's just the daylight then.