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 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=^..^=