Artificial light in the chicken coop

[cackler]

Gotcha.

I'm all for that.

 

[Barrett Farm]

I've had a light in my chicken coop for 20 years. I understood years ago that it needed to be a "grow light". I have always used a grow light in a flouresent bulb form. My light comes on at dusk, (I adjust regularly through the seasons) and I always program the timer to turn off between 10:15 or 10:30pm.

My baby chicks stay under a light 24/7 until all the feathers are in. Then they loose the light for heat. They can get some light from the grow light.

But all the girls learn the party is over round 10:30 and it is time for bed.

 

[bigoakhunter]

When you say " grow light" what are you refering to? As this light issue is confusing for me. I have a red 250 watt heat lamp for my baby chicks till about 6 weeks, then I switched it to a red flourescent energy saving type. That gives out 150 watts for 18 used. But i am wondering if these red ones are good for supplemental light for egg laying or if it needs to be a white light for that.

 

[Beekissed]

As for letting nature take its course, since when do any of us do that? I don't know anyone that lets their birds totally fend for themself. We provide them with special foods, shelter, vitamin supplements, worming and parasite treatments, etc. etc.

Well.....some of us do! As much as possible, that is. Some of us don't provide special foods, merely grains and free range forage options, no vitamins, worming or parasite treatments, etc.

What folks mean by letting birds go through a natural shut down, hormonally, is so that these birds can have a normal slow down in production. If you force a bird, by using artificial lighting, to continue to lay, you also shorten their laying longevity. They burn out on egg laying much sooner. I know it's six of one and half a dozen of the other, but it still interfers with a natural thing. Even humans get a break from their jobs, why not chickens?

Winter is a hard enough time, staying warm and surviving, why make them use their energy producing more eggs?

My birds only slow down for about 4 months, they still lay but not as much. As I profit so much from peak laying times to more than make up for the slow times, this break from production doesn't matter much and it seems a fitting reward for the gals who work so hard the remaining 8 months out of the year.

Besides that, I've got folks who have come to rely on me to provide them with farm fresh eggs. I'd never keep any of them coming back if I went out of production for half a year.

I have loyal customers also and they also understand that birds slow down in the winter. They just ask me to give them a call when laying picks up and, meanwhile, they will buy storebought eggs and save me the cartons! (This also saves me money!)

If you have quality eggs, you won't lose customers over a slow time. My customers seem to appreciate that I care enough about my birds to let them cycle normally in the winter and not force them to produce by manipulating winter lighting.​

 

[tdgill]

would a decrease in protein during colder months (fewer bugs etc) cause them to slow down egg laying also?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Well.....some of us do! As much as possible, that is. Some of us don't provide special foods, merely grains and free range forage options, no vitamins, worming or parasite treatments, etc.

What folks mean by letting birds go through a natural shut down, hormonally, is so that these birds can have a normal slow down in production. If you force a bird, by using artificial lighting, to continue to lay, you also shorten their laying longevity. They burn out on egg laying much sooner. I know it's six of one and half a dozen of the other, but it still interfers with a natural thing. Even humans get a break from their jobs, why not chickens?

Winter is a hard enough time, staying warm and surviving, why make them use their energy producing more eggs?

My birds only slow down for about 4 months, they still lay but not as much. As I profit so much from peak laying times to more than make up for the slow times, this break from production doesn't matter much and it seems a fitting reward for the gals who work so hard the remaining 8 months out of the year.

Besides that, I've got folks who have come to rely on me to provide them with farm fresh eggs. I'd never keep any of them coming back if I went out of production for half a year.

I have loyal customers also and they also understand that birds slow down in the winter. They just ask me to give them a call when laying picks up and, meanwhile, they will buy storebought eggs and save me the cartons! (This also saves me money!)

If you have quality eggs, you won't lose customers over a slow time. My customers seem to appreciate that I care enough about my birds to let them cycle normally in the winter and not force them to produce by manipulating winter lighting.​

Couldnt't have said it better myself!

Most of my egg customers DH works with. He tells me they are all interested in how my girls are doing and understand the wait for eggs. Thankfully my girls are finished with their slow down and are back to laying now.

 

[tdgill]

good post Beekissed thanks! I think I am back on the no light side. hahah.

 

[cherylcohen]

I was out with my girls most of the day today and some of them seemed sleepy. I know they typically nap in the day, but could waking them up with a 5:30 light be making them overly tired. They go to bed whenever they please, which is now about 5pm

 

[lorrir]

I use the light in the coop as my alarm clock, The rooster crows I get up. I have the timer set for 5am, gives them 1.5 hours more light max.

 

[canlyhanson]

I think you no need to give nay light in the summer since it is hot already.So I think there is no need of arranging any lights later..




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