Artificial Lights v/s None During Winter for Egg Production Poll

[BoundlessLove]

On the shortest day here we get 6.5 hours of light. So adding is beneficial.

It isn't, but they don't free range in the dark with snow on the ground.

Yes, in the spring, summer, and early fall.

Yes, so adding some light during short days is good.

Are you adding the light for egg production?

 

[Apis mellifera]

Are you adding the light for egg production?

Mostly for the health of the flock, extra eggs are a bonus. They don't need a rest sitting in the dark.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Mostly for the health of the flock, extra eggs are a bonus. They don't need a rest sitting in the dark.

Do you have a run?

 

[BoundlessLove]

Since this is starting to get off topic, maybe should start a new thread.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Do you have a run?

A run, a coop, and free range.

 

[NatJ]

A run, a coop, and free range.

And of course all of those are dark for 16+ hours in the middle of winter, which is why you are adding some light.

When you add light, how many total hours do your chickens end up with each day?

 

[Apis mellifera]

12 to 14 hours is good.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Only one egg today from the three layers! This hasn’t happened since they started laying in May-June. We usually get 18/week including as recently as last week.

Winter darkness is real, y’all.

- btw, my chickens do not care a whit about Daylight Savings ending in the US. They were screaming at 6:45 this morning. (Recently at 7:30 EDT.)