Do you use lights in the coop in the winter ? ?

[math ace]

Keep it coming folks.

Here is my delemia , my girls production almost stopped due to the 100 F degree weather for almost 2 months. Then they molted. So, my little girls have already taken a break naturally. If they turn around and slack again during the winter - - -then what is the point? If my girls are only working 1/2 the year, then I am not sure I can afford this little hobby !

A lot of you folks in COLD areas are leaving the lights OFF. HOWEVER, I don't think your summer is as intense and long lasting as mine. . .

I am not hearing from too many of you in the south - - -LIKE TEXAS - - - to see if you are willing to lose production during the winter AFTER you have lost it during the summer . . . .

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I plan to use lights in the coop for winter. I got these birds for eggs and they should produce

If you are hoping for eggs and need light then I would provide the light. I plan on changing the flock every 2-3 years as well and hopefully figure out a leg banding system to do this with. Right now I have two different ages about 4 months apart so my younger chickens won't even think of laying until around december. Hoping I get lots of eggs in the winter

As we are liking the eggs we are getting now.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Quote:
Most of mine began laying this Summer, some during the 100's we had for nearly a month, we just began to cool off in the last week or two. I can not say that the heat caused any problems.

Today I had 14 out of 22 to lay. I had a new SLW lay today but failed to see what color her leg band was

. Dolly, the one who laid first at 16 weeks (Sex Link), is so OCD about the nest boxes that she no longer lays every day and her eggs are not nearly as large as the other Sex Links. Thank goodness I have a BO that has begun to lay and her eggs are already larger than Dolly's.

I keep reading that people have eggs all Winter but I don't want to take a chance since I have two customers who are buying every week and right now I'm able to supply what they order...hoping I get all 22 to lay soon and am able to pick up more regular customers.

There is a thread on BYC about feeding pepper to make them lay during the Winter. I added red crushed peppers to the alfalfa the last two days and have had two new layers both days. Not sure if they were going to lay anyway or if the pepper did it but I have DH looking for Red Crushed Pepper in bulk!

Good luck! Hope you get lots of eggs this Winter!

 

[BeauPeep]

Quote:
I live in NH too. Do you get eggs still in winter? I'm nervous about having a bulb in the house too.

 

[teach1rusl]

In your case, I would use light this winter. I baby my girls, but you're right; yours have certainly had a break. Florida temps should be great egg laying temps this winter. So just make sure they're getting enough light (and bump up their protein if their still recovering from the moult) and hopefully you'll get lots of eggs through spring.
I am probably not adding light this winter, although I have glass doors and windows to take advantage of every bit of light that's natural. That being said, I will probably keep the light on until 6:30 or 7:00 just so I have time to "visit" with the chickens after work when the days start turning dark by 6 or 6:30. My girls laid their hearts out all spring and summer, so they've earned a slowdown.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Quote:
Here -25 in the January is considered a pretty good day, not warm, not freezing. Here -35 is a colder day, last year I didnt use any extra light. But I only got about 6 eggs all winter

 

[JustOneMore]

I have been following other threads that address this issue as I live in upstate NY and the days are already getting shorter and colder.

I had concerns about using "standard" lighting but a few threads recommend using fluorescent lighting. Less expensive to run and also safer on the off chance that the hens can knock the fixture into the bedding.

I'm shopping lights at Lowe's this weekend.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
Go to WalMart and get a GE Bright Stick--it is a 20w florescent fixture, rapid start that comes complete, all you have to do it fasten it to the wall and plug it into a timer. Mine last about 2/3 yrs.
Edited to correct name of lighting fixture.

 

[kristen2678]

I only have 4 hens and live in Massachusetts. The days are short and the nights are cold already. I have 3 EE's and a BO. Last year we had a Light Brahma too. They laid all through the winter with no extra light. It might have something to do with the breed too.

 

[JustOneMore]

Thank you so much!

I worried that on cold days fluorescent bulbs might not come on. You're not that far from us and if yours works then ours should too!

Thanks again.



Quote:
Go to WalMart and get a Light Stick--it is a 20w florescent fixture, rapid start that comes complete, all you have to do it fasten it to the wall and plug it into a timer. Mine last about 2/3 yrs.