Artificial lighting?

[2006powerstroke90]

Been doing a bunch of reading on it....fall is here and the days are getting shorter. My 2 isa browns are still laying eggs daily, although they aren’t getting 14 hours of pure day light.

I would like to continue to get 2 eggs daily thru out the winter season. In the spring time I hope to be getting 10 eggs daily.

should I let nature run its course and see if they continue to lay eggs daily? I doubt they will.

would adding 1 light bulb in the coop suffice for “daylight” to keep them laying? Would it be ok to leave it on 24/7 or would I be better off putting it on a timer?

 

[Buckeye Amy]

If your girls are in their first year you won't have to worry about supplemental lighting their first winter. Pullets will lay through winter.

I like to start using a timer in later September, gradually adding 15 minutes of additional light each week. By the time winter arrives the layers are still getting 14 hours of light each day. I have a 18 foot rope light stapled to the inside of the coop around the roof edge. It is set to come on at 5:30 am and shut off at sunrise. I have to adjust the timer each week to make sure it's correct. The rope light is in the "warm" range of light, not cool. I stop using the additional light in late April/early May, or when I notice an increase in laying that spring naturally brings.

Chickens need sleep just like the rest of us, so I don't advise leaving it on all the time. Also, don't set the timer to come on in the evening. If it shuts off before they have a chance to roost they won't like that very much. Set it to come on before the sun rises and all will be well. The light doesn't have to be super bright either, 40 watts or equivalent is enough.

 

[aart]

Would it be ok to leave it on 24/7

Absolutely not.

 

[Folly's place]

Timers are inexpensive, and necessary, so your light can be on before dawn, and off after sunrise, if you plan to use one this year.
Lighting must be consistent; don't try it and then turn it off, and then on, and expect good results.
Here we have both pullets and hens, and use lighting all winter to keep some egg production going. It's a choice you can make, or not, especially next year when you do have hens.
Mary