Automatic Light?

[Kitty Cat]

I have a friend who has a light timer, and she says it makes her chickens lay much better.

Does anyone have this, and how do you like it? Does it really improve laying?

If it works where can I get one and how expensive are they? What kind of maintenance does it need, etc?


Thanks!!

 

[goldies99]

i have one...the timers are cheap...you can get one at walmart...hardware store, places like that....chickens need 14 hours of light...i use about a 40 watt regular bulb....
i set my timer to turn on at 5am.......then off at 7am....then turn on again at 4:30pm...and off at 7pm....you just plug the time into the light you are going to use and then into an outlet...
it is pretty easy...you will have directions with the timer as how to set it.........good luck!

 

[jennh]

What goldies 99 said

 

[Marcymom3]

Quote:
X2, only mine comes on at 3:30 a.m. and goes off at 6:30 a.m., then on at 5:00 and off at 5:30 p.m. From my eight pullets I get seven or eight eggs a day. I only had one laying when I put the light in the coop and within a month all of them started.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Not trying to be fussy, but the "chickens need 14 hours of light" mantra simply gets repeated far too much, and it isn't true. Chickens near the equator never experience 14 hours of light and yet they lay plenty of eggs.

During the darkest days of fall and winter, most chickens benefit from some supplemental lighting to compensate for 8 hour "days", but it isn't necessary that the light be provided for 14 hours. It is increasing light that triggers the pituitary gland. If one increased the light from 8 hours to 12 hours, in 15 minute increments, over a two week period, laying would jump without ever getting to 14 total hours. Just sayin'.

 

[Marcymom3]

Fred's Hens :

Not trying to be fussy, but the "chickens need 14 hours of light" mantra simply gets repeated far too much, and it isn't true. Chickens near the equator never experience 14 hours of light and yet they lay plenty of eggs.

During the darkest days of fall and winter, most chickens benefit from some supplemental lighting to compensate for 8 hour "days", but it isn't necessary that the light be provided for 14 hours. It is increasing light that triggers the pituitary gland. If one increased the light from 8 hours to 12 hours, in 15 minute increments, over a two week period, laying would jump without ever getting to 14 total hours. Just sayin'.

I'm glad you said that! I wondered whether that was a rule or a guideline. I think I will let the girls sleep in a little later and skip the evening light. That's what I love about this forum. So much experience!! Thanks!​

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Fred's Hens :

Not trying to be fussy, but the "chickens need 14 hours of light" mantra simply gets repeated far too much, and it isn't true. Chickens near the equator never experience 14 hours of light and yet they lay plenty of eggs.

During the darkest days of fall and winter, most chickens benefit from some supplemental lighting to compensate for 8 hour "days", but it isn't necessary that the light be provided for 14 hours. It is increasing light that triggers the pituitary gland. If one increased the light from 8 hours to 12 hours, in 15 minute increments, over a two week period, laying would jump without ever getting to 14 total hours. Just sayin'.

Too funny. That's what I've been telling friends for some time now, "Do you think they use supplemental lighting on the equator? 12 hours is enough for me."
l​