I'm trying to get my hens to start laying right now. I have two 1 year olds (commerical reds) who are coming off moult, and fifteen 6 month olds (BR, BO, Wyandotte, SS, Barnevelder) I just got, who I'm not sure have ever layed (no added light til now). I have a 60 W light bulb that comes on at 2:30 am til 7:30 am. The sun comes up at 7:00, but not in strength til 7:30. The sun is setting at 4:30 pm and they all go to roost by 3 pm. Is the 60 watt bulb enough? Or should I up it to a 100 W? I also plan to put a heat lamp near the nest box with hopes of keeping eggs from freezing right away as winter gets on. Current coop temps are just above freezing, and outdoors is just below-it will get a LOT colder. I gather I should pop some golf balls in the nests? Anything else I can do? I gotta get these girls laying, as my other half isn't liking the food costs, coupled with purchasing costly eggs.... thanks in advance. Heather=^..^=
I am going to make a prediction....you will be covered up with eggs within the next month!!! I dont know about the 1yr olds/molting but the 6 monthers should begin laying any time now, especially with you providing light. My girls started laying in october (just after the 6 month mark) and I am still getting 4 eggs from 5 girls daily. I have the lights come on at 6pm-10pm. Get ready!!
We put golf balls in our nests at 18 weeks. We have additional "daylight" too but our lights are set to come on at 5 am and 5 pm. They turn off at 7 am and 7 pm. 2:30 am seems to me to be too far from their normal circadian cycle. I thought the idea was to make them think it is still spring or summer? Just my opinion based on no scientific fact.
oh, yikes, i hadn't thought of that. I had read somewhere that it is good to add it in the morning, though I thought it weird when I calculated just how early I'd have to make it for 14 hrs. If I adjust it now, will it mess them up more?
well I only have a 25 watt bulb in the coop and one in the run. It comes on at 3am and off at 9am. All my girls are laying almost everyday now and I am starting to be overrun with eggs and giving them away every second day. I have now turned off the light in the coop but leave the run to come on. I also turned it back to come on at 4am and off at 8am. I do turn on the coop light at about 6:30 when i go out and leave it to turn off at 8am.
