can I trick my chickens?

[chickensducks&agoose]

we're at 26+ weeks, and still no eggs. We're only getting about 10 hours of sunlight here.. if I put a light in there for a few days, maybe a week, will it get them started? And will they keep going if I take the light away? I don't really believe in lighting, but I'm getting desperate!

 

[joebryant]

chickensducks&agoose :

we're at 26+ weeks, and still no eggs. We're only getting about 10 hours of sunlight here.. if I put a light in there for a few days, maybe a week, will it get them started? And will they keep going if I take the light away? I don't really believe in lighting, but I'm getting desperate!

I'd put a light on with a timer that will add at least enough hours to equal a minimun of 14 hours based on December 21st, 2009. Then I'd leave it on until mid-March at least.​

 

[gritsar]

IMO, adding a light and then taking it away will only mess up their cycle even more.
Patience Grasshopper. Soon you should have more eggs than you know what to do with.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I'd put a light on with a timer that will add at least enough hours morning and evening to equal a minimun of 14 hours based on December 21st, 2009. Then I'd leave it on until mid-March at least.

Here's your hours for Vermont on Dec. 21, 2009, your shortest day.

Dec 21, 2009 Sunrise 7:23 AM Sunset 4:14 PM (You might set your time for 5:30 - 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 to 7:30 P.M.
Doing that your chickens would have light from 5:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=164&month=12&year=2009&obj=sun&afl=-1&day=1

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I appreciate your reply, but SERIOUSLY?!?! less than 9 hours of daylight!?! I might as well live in alaska! I am abandoning my chickens and moving to florida. Somehow it doesn't seem that bad until you see it written out.

*melts into a hibernating state*

 

[joebryant]

chickensducks&agoose :

I appreciate your reply, but SERIOUSLY?!?! less than 9 hours of daylight!?! I might as well live in alaska! I am abandoning my chickens and moving to florida. Somehow it doesn't seem that bad until you see it written out.

*melts into a hibernating state*

Huh? 5:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. would be 14 hours.​

 

[the simple life]

I am guessing she means that she only gets 9 hours of daylight where she lives, 7:23 am to 4:14 pm.

 

[cowpunkmom]

I live in Alberta, and am getting less sunlight every day. I'm at about 10 hours now, but it will be substantially less before it get longer again! So far, my 3 girls are laying happily without a care about anything. I am learning that patience is important with girls. If they are getting enough water and healthy food, the eggs will come.