Does it matter if I leave the lay lights on?

[Animalfisherwoman]

I had mostly June 2018 chicks, so I got a lay light for them in November. The June pullets started laying then, and the older ones kept laying.

With the photoperiod, am aware I can turn off the light. However, my chooks now don't go into the coop willingly unless there's a light there, and further, they are protected in the evening by this 60W equivalent light saying, "predators, stay away."

Is there any harm in leaving the lay light on?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I had mostly June 2018 chicks, so I got a lay light for them in November. The June pullets started laying then, and the older ones kept laying.

With the photoperiod, am aware I can turn off the light. However, my chooks now don't go into the coop willingly unless there's a light there, and further, they are protected in the evening by this 60W equivalent light saying, "predators, stay away."

Is there any harm in leaving the lay light on?

What photoperiod are you creating with the light?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

I actually read in an article here (how to start a poultry business in 4 years I think it's called). He added supplemental light during the winter. When he turned the lights off in the spring it actually caused them to molt months ahead of schedule. So, eith tgat said, I personally don't see any harm in leaving the lights on, other thsn the electricity costs.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Here in SE PA we are just about at 12 hours of sunlight. I don't turn mine off until May 15th.

 

[aart]

Here in SE PA we are just about at 12 hours of sunlight. I don't turn mine off until May 15th.

About the same here...I keep lights on for about 14 hours
I wait until the days are longer than that naturally to turn them off.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chickens need a period of dark time. They can develop egg quality problems if lights are left on all the time. I'm not sure what you mean by "lay light". How long is it on for? And how long is that 60 watt light on? If those lights are on a timer so they get dark time no big deal. If the lights are on 24/7 you might experience some problems.

Technically it is the nights getting longer and not the days getting shorter than can trigger a molt. "Can" does not mean each and every time, it means it is possible as Farmer's Daughter mentioned. I don't know how your current dark period compares to natural dark. It's possible if you turn the lights off you could trigger a molt in some if not all birds.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I actually read in an article here (how to start a poultry business in 4 years I think it's called). He added supplemental light during the winter. When he turned the lights off in the spring it actually caused them to molt months ahead of schedule. So, eith tgat said, I personally don't see any harm in leaving the lights on, other thsn the electricity costs.

Yes, this 8s how battery houses control molt cycles to optimize production.....they use lighting cycles to "force molt" the birds all at one time.

 

[Animalfisherwoman]

What photoperiod are you creating with the light?

The light has come on at dusk and stays on until 11:30 p.m. creating a 16-18 hour day.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The light has come on at dusk and stays on until 11:30 p.m. creating a 16-18 hour day.

Well beyond what is needed for production and creating a period of darkness bordering on too short

 

[aart]

The light has come on at dusk and stays on until 11:30 p.m. creating a 16-18 hour day.

So is this one of those solar lights that comes on at dusk and runs til the battery is dead?