DH wants to light the chickens, I don't want to...

[bigdawg]

i bought mine at home depo. 16.00 tax and all. very easy to set. oh its for outdoor use also......

 

[pigcoon]

Just piping in--what kind of light is the Utilitech-- I can't find it on a search at Home Depot or Lowes. I am also interested in adding some morning light to help things along.

 

[pips&peeps]

chickensducks&agoose :

Quote:
well, when he discovered that they'd been using a shelf in his toolshed as a roost, and his socket set was caked with poo, that was certainly a possibility!

I told him that we can get a timer, and can add some light to their mornings, but my feeling is that it's not so good for them to lay, lay, lay, without a good break... am I nuts?

They will take a break no matter what. I have had lights on for three years! The birds will molt and will take a break every fall no matter what from my experience.​

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
The timer is Ultitech. I use a GE Bright Stick for my lighting. Got it from WalMart. It's a 20w florescent instant on fixture complete with on/off switch, plug, and mounting pad. Lasts about 2/3 years.

 

[ElderberryNeil]

What's the general consensus on WHEN to give the supplemental light? Can the 5 hours of artificial light be given all at once or is it 'healthier' to split it so that any sort of internal clock doesn't get screwed up?
We've been lighting for 2-2.5 hours in the early morning and then 2-2.5 hours in the late evening but my accountant wife realized the electric bill would be less if all the lighting took place in the morning- during OFF-PEAK hours. I think I know the answer but I'll ask anyway; is turning the supplemental light on at 2:00AM OK?

 

[crawfordmama]

Not trying to hijack the thread or get off topic, but I was hoping you could pass on a 'thank you' to your DH for his service.

We here are struggling with the decision of whether to light our coop as well. It's been darn cold here (negative for many days) but I found that since I've added Manna Calf to their feed almost every one lays every day. Perhaps give that a try.

 

[Royd]

Refusing to give them extra light, is just throwing your feed money away. Sure, out in nature, they probably wouldn't be laying, but then, they'd probably be some predator's food source, instead of yours.

 

[Hillary and friend's eggs]

I thought "light" meant burn them because they are too loud or messy or something!

Boy was I wrong!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Maybe it's the feed they are getting? Mine didn't lay for awhile, then I switched their feed and lo and behold, no additional light and they are laying great again. I feed Purina Layena pellets and crumbles, supplemented with scratch to keep them busy when they are in.

 

[Nostalchic]

It kind of depends on what your goals are! I would like to maintain my flock for as many years as possible (because, though I'm not unwilling to cull and butcher as necessary, I do get attached to individuals and would like to have them around a little longer) while some people are more production-focused and will butcher their hens and start over every 1-2 years because that makes some economic sense. If you want to maximize egg production over just 2 years, supplementing the light is the way to go - if done consistently, the hens will not molt and will continue to lay through the winter. If you want to PROLONG the reasonably productive life of your hens, a break from laying to molt in the winter will often result in still acceptable production over more years, and the quality of the eggs after the molt may be better, too. PS: We've turned the corner now after the solstice, and days are getting longer. My hens have finished molting and are starting to lay again, BIG beautiful eggs - yesterday got 9 from my 20 hens, well up from 0-3 eggs a few weeks ago! A little patience...