Encouraging egg laying using artifical lighting

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
Not even moon light gets in the coop. When I go in and it's dark out they get very upset and end up off their roosts. Then it goes dark and they are not roosting. I also had trouble with them not using the nest boxes because it was to dark for them to see to get there and they are up before me (I'm up at 4 a.m.). Hence the light.

 

[NS2A]

Hmmm. Makes sense then.

Mine are up on the roost well before dark - maybe they're lazy! I will not go in there if they are roosting, I just leave them be. Makes for quick chores when I get home late!

 

[EmsoffLambs]

About getting your chickens to roost inside...

I free range my chickens during the day and was having a heck of a time getting them all to go in their coop at dusk. When I tried to herd them all into the coop, all they'd do is run right past the door. It was darker inside than outside so they didn't want to go in. Once I figured this out, I turned on the light inside and "Wa-La!", they all went right in. Now they know to go in so I don't have to do it anymore.

I'd suggest you try turning on a light about 1/2 hour before dark and give them some time to get in by themselves. Once they are all in, shut off the light and lock them in until morning. You may need to put them on the roosts after you shut off the light. If any fail to go in at dark, put them in yourself. In a week or so, they should have the routine figured out and will go in on their own. This worked very well for me.

Oh, and I started using an automatic timer a month or so ago on my pullets. Within a week they started laying. Mine comes on at 4:00 a.m. and off at 7:00, giving me about 13 hours of daylight.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
BUMP

Anyone know the answer to this? It's important for Fresheggs4u & Seachick.
I'd like to know too.

 

[fresheggs4u]

after installing a string of lights over the pen, in one week I am now gettign at least a dozen eggs a day! The lights worked!