extra light for growing hens ?

[oldtimer5]

I am raising a few egg layers. They are 11 weeks old now and outside in Michigan. My question is, do they need extra light now or only when they are ready to start laying?
Thanks for your help

 

[Aapomp831]

They won’t be laying until at least 20 weeks; supplemental light is never necessary in my opinion bc your laying hens need to take a break from egg laying. Regular egg laying takes a huge toll on their bodies, so I never try and force extra egg laying. I would just let nature take its course; when they are about 18 weeks switch them to layer feed, put out free choice oyster shells and wait. But for right now, no supplemental light is necessary.

 

[Offshoreorca]

Let them mature as normal. A decision can be made to give supplemental light when they get near point of lay - after 20 weeks. They will lay when they lay. We don't supplement light as we have heritage breeds that we believe need a break in the fall months during molt. Chickens have a set number of eggs, so not only does supplemental light tax their bodies, but it shortens their laying life (hence the reason heritage breeds often lay eggs at a better rate as they age, even though they aren't as productive in their first years as newer laying breeds and hybrids are. It all depends on what your goal is for your flock. With 11 hens at 1.5 years, we are still getting 1-4 eggs a day during molt because individuals are molting at different times. Not a lot, but enough to keep us from having to buy eggs.

 

[Alaskan]

I am a huge fan of light if you have cold and short days.

Chickens need to eat to stay warm, if it is horrible cold, and your days are short, then they simply don't have enough time to get the fuel they need.

I think a minimum of 10 hours of light is a good idea, that isn't enough light to force them into lay in freezing weather, but it does give them enough time to eat enough to stay warm.

My chickens are clearly cold and need to eat like crazy at 0F and colder.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh, I wouldn't start layer feed until they start laying.. which at a guess will be late January or early February when the increasing day length kicks them into starting.