COLD WEATHER AND EGG PRODUCTION

[cajunlizz]

Well , we have close to 100 head in our flock . About 35 are really not old enough to start laying just yet . BUT the others are close to 9 months old and was only picking 3 - 5 eggs a day .

When the weather started gettign cold , DH installed lights inside both our coops and BINGO ..... We have started picking 18 eggs to 2 dozen a day .

Lights come on around 5:ish PM and off around 8:00 AM ... they still roosting and sleeping as usual , so I think they had their inner clocks backwards .... Looks like their DOWN TIME was during the summer months , but now we have jumped started the production . LOOK OUT FOR THE SPRING , they will all be laying by then .

 

[spatcher]

Have 12 possible layers out of 30 hens-today all 12 came thru! Light is on from 4AM to 8AM.

 

[cajunlizz]

I also leave it on at night to warm the coops ... its real cozy in the coops for them

 

[Wildsky]

24 hours of light isn't very healthy for the chickens.

 

[spatcher]

Mine are no heat energy savers! Dont seem to make a difference and they are not acclimated to the warm coop if the power goes out.

 

[#1California Chick]

Wow!! Lucky you!! I assume you sell the eggs??

 

[cajunlizz]

We sale eggs at the local flea market . $2.50 a dozen and neighbors buy eggs also . We have 2 permanent booths there every weekend . Been doing that since 2001

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
Have you tried adding light ? It just takes the chill out . PLUS the eggs have increased , BIG TIME



ALSO , if you have a rooster that is disturbing the hens , chasing , etc. will stop them from laying . Found that out the hard way .

Took the idiot OUT and just left the Alpha and they do alot better .

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
Well , they had their down time ( so to speak ) the whole summer . and besides its not a 200 watt bulb , its only 40 watt and they are still sleeping on the roost . It is sure not bright daylight in the coops . My chickens are very healthy, TYVM .