Do you use supplemental lighting?

[HeatherKellyB]

No I haven't and don't plan to, as I see it as nature's way of giving them a break. No judgment on folks that use supplemental lighting though

 

[igorsMistress]

I do not. I'm not going to force my chickens to continue laying when they wouldn't naturally do so.

 

[Horsensecarole]

Wondering how many of us use supplemental lighting when the days get shorter...

Do you use supplemental light? And comment below why or why not

Hoping to gain some knowledge from this because everyday I think we all learn a little more

This past winter we did not. But we also lost 3 of our four to a predator. They were laying still, and it’s been a mild winter so not sure what all that means. Previously we had but they mostly stopped laying in midwinter anyway!

 

[Akm78]

Yes, I do.
They still get a break when molting.
Lots of different ways to use lights, some work great, some may be detrimental.

Can you elaborate on how you use them. Very short days here and as they pick up this spring after 4 weeks of 3-5 eggs per week from 16 nine month old birds I’m trying to figure out my lighting plan for next year.

 

[aart]

Can you elaborate on how you use them. Very short days here and as they pick up this spring after 4 weeks of 3-5 eggs per week from 16 nine month old birds I’m trying to figure out my lighting plan for next year.

Have tried many different scenarios.
IMO, best bet is too crank them up at winter solstice,
after most birds have finished molting to get them laying earlier than 'natural'.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

 

[hispoptart]

I don't add light. I am okay with them slowing down. We only have 3 and during the summer months the eggs build up so fast that I can barely give them away fast enough. So it's not only a break for them but for me also.

 

[FortCluck]

I don't add light. I am okay with them slowing down. We only have 3 and during the summer months the eggs build up so fast that I can barely give them away fast enough. So it's not only a break for them but for me also.

That's where we are getting to right now. The pullets are starting to lay so we have an abundance of eggs every day. Yesterday it was 8 and we still have 5ish that are at point of lay. Then we have the ducks who are now laying too. So we will be giving away a lot of eggs I'm sure this summer.

 

[Akm78]

Have tried many different scenarios.
IMO, best bet is too crank them up at winter solstice,
after most birds have finished molting to get them laying earlier than 'natural'.
Here's a pretty good article on supplemental lighting.

Oh, I like that answer. Mine slowed (16 hens) from 10-12 a day in summer to 6-8 a day but after the solstice we dropped to about 3 a day and then from January 19-feb 13 only one hen laid. So that’s my plan- solstice on.

 

[aart]

Oh, I like that answer. Mine slowed (16 hens) from 10-12 a day in summer to 6-8 a day but after the solstice we dropped to about 3 a day and then from January 19-feb 13 only one hen laid. So that’s my plan- solstice on.

Hens(over one year old) or pullets(under one year old)?

Usually most pullets will continue to lay thru their first winter if they get started soon enough.
Hens can stop laying and molt as early as late August thru December.

Solstice is when the days begin to lengthen and some bird may begin to lay again, others take longer....with or without lights.

 

[Akm78]

Hens(over one year old) or pullets(under one year old)?

Pullets. No continuing to lay first winter from these girls. April 1 or so hatch. By end of September into October were up to 12-14 eggs a day from 16. They slowed a bit but at least 8 a day through first week in December. By the last two weeks in January and first two of February only one laying. North Dakota so long nights and cold.